Client Testimonials
We first contacted Michael Topa, of Greenoaks Educational Services, when our son was 6 after having issues at school and after seeking the advise of other professionals. We had hoped that Michael could help us solve the puzzle as to why our intelligent son was being categorized as someone with a problem.
We were surprised to see how comfortable Michael made our son feel in our home as he completed a thorough testing over a series of days. The initial assessment gave us hope as our son was identified as a gifted child with a non-verbal learning disorder. Since that time, we have had our son re-tested many times at strategic points in his early education years: changing elementary schools, going into high-school and most recently before starting university life. In addition to providing us with an Psychoeducational Assessment, Michael was supportive and assisted us in making the right school and career path decisions for our son.
Today, a child ignored by the public school system and typecast as a child unable to go on to college is in a competitive aerospace engineering program at a university.
Thank you Michael, we are very grateful to you! Your support, direction and encouragement helped us pave the way to success for our children.
Greenoaks has tested all four of our children. They were professional, helpful and caring. Michael Topa connected well with the children and we liked that he came to our house as this created a relaxed atmosphere. The information gathered identified strengths and weaknesses with strategies provided that we found to be very helpful.
When I called Greenoaks and spoke to Maureen Sullivan-Powell for help with my daughter, she was only in kindergarten and was already experiencing social and behavioural difficulties. I knew my daughter was very bright, so I could not understand why she was having problems at school. Maureen came to our home and carried the psychological assessment, and talked with me for several hours. She made specific recommendations regarding school options and the need for gifted programming for her. My daughter has thrived in her new school, is now ten years and loves learning.
Judy Patteson was extremely helpful in addressing our daughter’s situation. Her formal diagnosis of an ASD condition allowed us to access community services and find our daughter a respite care placement more suitable for her and much closer to our home. Judy’s recommendations also helped the school to understand her needs better. The psychological assessment from Greenoaks opened “new doors” for our daughter.
Greenoaks Education Services was recommended to me by a friend. My first contact was a phone call to explore this option. I spoke with Michael Topa at length about our son’s issues. He listened with interest and empathy and I never felt pushed to proceed.
Making the decision to have your child assessed can be a difficult one. What impressed me most about Michael was the way he spoke to our son. He was calm, patient, kind and always respectful. Since the assessment was conducted at home, in a familiar environment, I know it was a very comfortable setting.
The completed report and follow-up meeting was also extremely helpful. Our concerns were validated. While our son was identified as having a LD, the tone was positive and optimistic – not negative at all. The websites suggested are useful; we use the strategies on a daily basis. Now two years later, we continue to use these items in out interaction with his teachers. Michael also educated us about the school system and committee process for IEP development and implementation.
The services provided by Michael Topa and Greenoaks have been instrumental in helping our son succeed in school. Overall this was a very positive experience for us and I believe that was because of Michael’s knowledge, skill, experience and warm personality.
I have a special needs son who has struggled academically from the beginning of his school life. Maureen Sullivan-Powell has done several psychological assessments over the years to help us with programming for his needs. Her caring attitude and professional ability to help me understand his learning style and academic challenges was very helpful to me. She provided me with the knowledge necessary to advocate for his unique needs. Maureen was especially helpful in supporting me at school meetings. She was always just a phone call away. Greenoaks has always provided me with excellent services.