Helping You and Your Child Prepare

When you book a Child & Youth Assessment appointment, you will receive one or more email messages from us. These messages will provide instructions to help you and your child prepare for the appointment, so you get the most benefit and insight out of the assessment.

You will also receive email messages to remind you of your appointment.

Providing Consent and Your Child’s Medical History

We will provide instructions by email on how to sign in to myMedcan, a secure online portal for Medcan clients. You will be asked to take 15 to 30 minutes to complete the Preparation Package online within myMedcan.

The online Preparation Package is a questionnaire that collects key medical information such as family history, medications, health concerns, immunizations and food diary. Completing this in advance of the Child & Youth Assessment ensures your Medcan team has all the critical information they need to interpret the results from the assessment.

In addition, prior to the assessment parents will need to complete:

1. The Behaviour Assessment System for Children (BASC-2) questionnaire. For children 11 and older there is a self-report form for this, in addition to the questionnaire completed by parents. Our registered psychologist will review the results of the questionnaires, which form the basis for the social well-being component of the assessment.
2. The Privacy Consent and Commercial Consent forms. Children 12 and up also complete the Privacy Consent form.

Essentials Before The Assessment

For children and youth 10 years and older, we complete a full panel blood analysis as part of the assessment. To ensure the accuracy of your child’s blood test, kids 10 years or older should fast for 12 hours prior to the appointment time. This means no food or drink, except small amounts of water.

Don’t worry about your child being hungry! We will ensure the blood work is completed early in the session. You and your child will be provided with a healthy and delicious breakfast or lunch, snacks and healthy beverages.

What To Bring

We know that kids can be impatient when it comes to tests of any kind. So to ensure that his or her assessment runs as efficiently (and quickly) as possible, please ensure the following:

• Wear comfortable gym clothes and running shoes. There is an active component to the fitness evaluation with the exercise physiologist.
• Immunization records. To ensure your child’s immunization requirements are complete.
• Glasses or contacts. To assess your child’s corrected vision during your vision test.

Arrival and Registration at Reception

Medcan is located at 150 York Street. For directions and instructions on parking, including details on our valet parking service, click here.

For your child’s initial cognitive assessment session, check your confirmation email message for where to check in. For the second assessment session, your child’s day begins on the 14th floor where our reception team will greet you on arrival. They will complete your child’s registration and will review your child’s itinerary for the day, taking the time to explain the stations and what we will accomplish with each one.

At Medcan, we understand kids and will make them feel welcome and at ease. We encourage you to let our team know at any time if there’s anything we can do to make you and your child more comfortable.

Child & Youth Lounge and Amenities

Medcan has a lounge where you and your child can comfortably relax between tests. Our Child & Youth lounge features kid-friendly television programming, games, books and activities for kids of all ages, as well as Wi-Fi so that you and your child can stay connected during your time with us.

You are welcome to bring a tablet, familiar books or homework to make the experience as comfortable as can be for your child.

While in the lounge, we’ll provide a fresh selection of kid-friendly breakfasts and lunches as well as food for parents. We also provide fresh fruit, coffee or tea, and cold beverages.

Fasting Tests

If your child is 10 years or older, you will be asked to have him/her fast 12 hours prior to the assessment to ensure the lab tests provide accurate results. Don’t worry about your child being hungry! We will ensure these tests are completed early in the session, so that your child may enjoy breakfast or lunch, and beverages, as soon as possible.

The results of the blood analysis will be provided that same day and will be reviewed with the Medcan physician.

Testing Stations

During your child’s time at Medcan, he/she will be led through various testing stations. We strive to minimize wait times between stations as much as possible and to make them fun!

These stations range from a physical exam with the Medcan physician, through to assessments of your cardiovascular health, hearing and vision, and fitness. A consultation with a registered dietitian is also included. At all the stations, there is ample opportunity for you to ask questions along the way to our health experts.

Psychologist Review and Consultation

A thorough session with the registered psychologist is a valuable part of the day, as you will review your child’s cognitive and social well-being assessment results together. The psychologist will provide context on how to interpret results and, based on those results, discuss strategies you can take to tailor your parenting to your child’s unique attributes including opportunities for specific education or enrichment activities.

Physician Review

At the end of your child’s assessment when the tests are complete and results collected, including blood and urine analysis results from our on-site lab, you and your child will have a consultation with the Medcan physician. The physician will review the results with you, taking the time to answer any questions you have. You, your child and the physician will discuss areas of health that can be improved upon with changes in lifestyle, as well as those that may require further medical attention.

Follow-up Care and Results Report

After the Child & Youth Assessment is complete, you will receive an email message from the Medcan child & youth nurse, who will be your direct point of contact for any questions or assistance.

The nurse will let you know when the full report from the Assessment is available on myMedcan, usually within 6 to 8 days. Your access to myMedcan is both private and secure, and you may access your child’s results from anywhere at any time.

The nurse will also be available to review your detailed results with you by phone.

Follow up Appointments with Medical Specialists

After reviewing results from your child’s assessment, the Medcan physician may recommend seeing a medical specialist for further attention. One of our client care coordinators will work immediately to secure follow-up appointments with a specialist in our best-in-class network, many of whom are on site at Medcan.

Valuable Insights For Each Development Stage

We recommend completing the Child & Youth Assessment once at each of these three key stages: Elementary (5-9 years), Middle School (10-13 years), and High School (14-17 years). This will provide you with the insights you need to parent your child to reach their full potential and grow in good health.