The Mobile Assessment Team (MAT) is a service which allows post-secondary students across Southern Ontario to access assessment services, even if they have limited or no means of paying for such an assessment. The MAT provides skilled, qualified psychologists and psychological associates who may be available to come to the student's home institution and complete a full assessment or may welcome them to their offices in the community.
Eligibility for Service
RARC is funded by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to provide access to assessment services for post-secondary students with neurodevelopmental disorders who require accommodations in the academic environment.
To be eligible for an assessment, students must be:
- Currently be attending post-secondary, or accepted into a post-secondary institution
- Have a documented or suspected neurodevelopmental disorder
- Have evidence of historical and current academic impairment (grades consistently at a C or lower when no accommodations are provided)
All referrals will be screened to determine eligibility before proceeding with an assessment.
Assessment Process
Accessibility Services Advisor
Accessibility Services Advisors at schools that currently use RARC MAT services can refer students directly. Once funding is determined (and pre-approved by rarcmat@queensu.ca, if necessary), send an email to the practitioner and copy rarcmat@queensu.ca providing an explanation as to the reason for the referral and any questions needing exploration. All personal documents should be password protected or sent via a secure format such as through SecureDocs www.securedocs.ca. Students can create an account to send all documents to their practitioner.
Documents include :
- The RARC Questionnaire (RARC Q) and accompanying documentation
- Fee Contract and Checklist (PEA, Neuro, or ASD)
- Late or No-Show Fee Form
Accessibility Advisors at schools that do not currently use RARC MAT services can contact rarcmat@queensu.ca to decide if a referral is appropriate and start the documentation collection process.
Self Referral
We are in the process of winding down our self-referral option. Students who believe they may need an updated assessment should contact their Accessibility Advisor at their college/university who will make a referral to RARC if an updated assessment is required.
In addition to a one-hour intake appointment, testing typically takes 6 to 8 hours: two or three appointments lasting approximately two to three hours long. Once the psychologist completes the report, they will schedule a one-hour feedback appointment (which may be in-person or virtually).
The feedback appointment involves an explanation of the results of the assessment and how they pertain to any identified learning deficits. If you are diagnosed with a disorder, information will be provided regarding support available at Accessibility Services at your school.
You will be given a copy of the final report that documents your assessment and the findings. With your permission, a copy of the report will also be sent to the referral source. If you revoke consent to have your assessment shared, the referral source will only be informed that the assessment has been completed.
Fees and Funding
The cost of a standard psychoeducational (PEA) assessment is $2400. The cost of a neuropsychological or assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, the cost is $2800. There are a few options available to students to help cover the cost of assessment.
This bursary is disbursed under the umbrella of Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and the Canadian Studies Grant (CSGE-PDE). If currently registered university or college students are OSAP eligible, they can access this bursary to pay for their assessment. Students do not have to be receiving OSAP to apply for this bursary and only need to demonstrate financial need for $1 of OSAP to access the BSWD. OSAP only covers students whose home province is Ontario, however, students from other provinces can access funding, if they qualify for the student loan program in their home province. The BSWD is administered through the Accessibility Services Office at each institution and students must be pre-approved to use the bursary to pay for an assessment. More information can be found at each school’s Accessibility Services Office.
In addition, in order to access the BSWD to pay for their assessments, students MUST complete an application and qualify for OSAP or financial aid in their province. Students MUST apply by January 30th to be eligible for the current academic year. Online OSAP applications. The BSWD is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. However, it is considered taxable income.
Please see Information about the BSWD and CSGE-PDE.
Either personal or parental extended health care insurance policies may cover all or a portion of the cost of a psychological assessment. Additionally, parental or personal Employee Assistance Programs may also cover the cost. RARC or the practitioner can provide detailed invoices or receipts for insurance reimbursement.
In the mission statement of the RARC, one of the goals is to provide access to affordable psychoeducational assessments. Thus, when individuals cannot access funds through government or insurance agencies as outlined above, once it is determined that a full assessment is required, a client’s ability to pay will be evaluated by means of a sliding fee scale which can be found in the Checklist and Financial Contract document.
Appointment "No Show" Policy
Clients who fail to come to a scheduled appointment (including intake, testing, feedback) will be charged a $200 no show fee to be paid before subsequent appointments are booked. RARC MAT will be the client directly for these charges. The practitioner will send an email to rarcmat@queensu.ca to provide details about the missed or late appointment.
Clients wishing to appeal this fee and request a fee waiver based on extenuating circumstances should be referred to RARC's manager who can be accessed at rarcmat@queensu.ca. The purpose of this fee is to ensure accountability on the part of the client as an active participant in the assessment process and to ensure effective use of an important resource in the post-secondary and community environment.