FAQs

The first step is to schedule a complimentary phone consultation with a member of our team. During this call, we’ll learn more about the student’s needs, answer your questions, and explore how Evoke can help.

Following the consultation, we begin the intake process, which includes reviewing relevant background information and completing intake forms. From there, we work collaboratively with the family—and the student when appropriate—to develop a personalized service plan. This plan outlines the student’s academic and personal goals, recommended services, and our strategy for building skills and supporting progress. It also highlights the barriers that are currently interfering with the student’s ability to meet their goals, helping us to tailor our approach and interventions effectively.

Our goal is to ensure that services are tailored, targeted, and aligned with each learner’s unique profile.

No formal assessment is required to begin working with Evoke. However, we do ask families to complete intake questionnaires that help us understand the student’s learning profile, goals, and needs.

If a student does have an assessment, part of Evoke’s intake process is to review that documentation to gain an understanding of the student’s psychological processes (strengths and challenges) and how they may be affecting the student’s academic work.

For students who do not have a formal psychoeducational assessment, it’s important to have evidence of where their academic skills—particularly in reading, writing, and math—currently stand. Evoke recommends completing a reading, writing, or math skills assessment with us in these cases. Without a psychoeducational assessment, we do not have verified data about the student’s academic profile, and it’s not uncommon for bright students to compensate by using an area of strength to mask a significant gap. These skills assessments help us more accurately identify areas for support and ensure that the services provided are well targeted.

Evoke offers ADHD and executive function coaching, academic strategy, tutoring, and reading remediation services for all students, regardless of ability or aptitude. 

Evoke’s Academic and Writing Strategies program focuses on building core academic skills, study strategies, and writing development to support student success across subjects. The program emphasizes executive function skill development in the context of academic tasks, such as note-taking, reading comprehension, time management, and essay writing. Students learn how to study effectively, structure their work, use assistive technology, and become more independent, confident learners. This program is ideal for students who are looking to strengthen academic foundations and improve school performance, regardless of diagnosis.

In contrast, ADHD and Executive Function Coaching is specifically designed for students with ADHD or significant self-regulation challenges. While coaching also supports academic performance, its primary focus is on helping students manage the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional symptoms associated with ADHD and/or executive function impairment. Coaching integrates cognitive behavioural strategies and teaches students how to manage impulsivity, sustain focus, regulate emotions, and reduce procrastination. It also helps students develop a deeper understanding of how ADHD and/or executive function deficits affect their functioning and it equips them with personalized strategies for daily life.

• Academic and Writing Strategies focuses on learning how to learn, developing academic and writing skills through research-informed instruction.
• ADHD/Executive Function Coaching focuses on learning how to manage ADHD, self-regulation and other executive function challenges, with support extending beyond academics into daily functioning and emotional well-being.

Evoke works with a diverse range of students, from elementary through postsecondary and graduate school. Many of our clients are diagnosed with ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), executive function challenges, anxiety, or other learning differences. Our services are tailored to meet the unique profile and needs of each learner and we specialize in working with neurodiverse learners.

We support students who are motivated to reach their academic potential and improve their performance. Whether they’re looking to build stronger executive function skills, adopt new learning strategies, or overcome academic struggles, our clients are individuals seeking meaningful progress. Evoke specializes in working with students who face academic challenges, are twice-exceptional (gifted with learning differences), or have ambitious academic goals.

Yes. Evoke offers services to support students (with or without disabilities) who are completing postsecondary education, including those studying at the graduate level.

In Ontario, for students eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PDSE) help full- and part-time postsecondary students with the costs of their disability-related educational equipment and services such as coaching, academic strategy, and tutoring. 

To access funding or to determine eligibility, students should contact their college or university’s student financial services office or accessibility services advisor.

We understand that families may be hesitant about online learning, especially if their child struggled with virtual instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, our approach is very different from a traditional online classroom.

Evoke specializes in working with students with ADHD and self-regulation challenges. We understand their learning profiles and tailor our services accordingly, using evidence-based best practices for online instruction. Our sessions are one-to-one, structured, interactive, and highly personalized. Many students with ADHD actually thrive in this format, which provides flexibility, consistency, and the comfort of learning from home.

Unlike passive, lecture-style virtual classes, our sessions are conversational and student-led. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and actively participate in setting goals, solving problems, and reflecting on their progress. At Evoke, students co-create the agenda, which helps them stay engaged and invested. When students are invited into meaningful dialogue focused on their needs, many begin to thrive, even if they’ve had negative experiences with online learning in the past.

All sessions at Evoke are one-to-one. This personalized approach allows us to tailor each session to the student’s unique learning profile and needs, which we believe is the most effective way to support growth and skill development. Unlike many tutoring and coaching organizations, we design a customized service plan for every student, track student progress, and adjust our approach and support as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Evoke does not provide services in a client’s home. We offer services remotely via videoconference platforms such as Zoom or Google. Our online services offer clients flexibly and access to high-quality instruction from practitioners across Canada, available at convenient times including before school, after school, evenings, and weekends. Our interactive sessions help students improve technical skills, utilize online resources, and stay organized—all essential for academic success. 

Students are not required to commit to our services until after the first two sessions. This trial allows students to experience the benefits of online learning, such as no travel requirements and a distraction-free environment, enhancing participation and focus. Our approach reduces fear of failure and boosts motivation by allowing easy access to engaging, interactive materials. Evoke’s method is particularly effective for students facing challenges with processing speed or reading and writing, integrating assistive technology into each session. 

Yes! Summer is the ideal time for students to strengthen their academic skills. With fewer school-year demands, students benefit from high-dosage, curriculum-linked tutoring, proven to accelerate learning and close academic gaps. Evoke’s individualized programs support students struggling with reading, writing, math, expressive language, and executive function, helping them review, relearn, and build critical skills for the year ahead.

Our programs also teach key executive function strategies such as time management, motivation, study skills, and reducing procrastination, which are essential for academic success. We support high school students who are taking summer courses and those who need more time or individualized instruction because of learning or processing challenges.

Studies demonstrate that time away from academic work can result in lost knowledge and skills, especially in math and reading. This loss, compounded over time, contributes to the achievement gap between students who require more time to process information and their peers. Students who undertake summer learning can master material they did not learn during the previous school year, develop a strong writing foundation, establish good work habits, cultivate essential skills and helpful learning strategies, prepare for next year’s curriculum, catch up, and learn at their own pace.

Evoke specializes in working with neurodivergent learners, including students with ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, and giftedness, using a strength-based approach that fosters independence and confidence.

Visible progress and measurable outcomes are important to us. Some programs, such as reading remediation, incorporate standardized assessments that can be used to track “before and after” skill levels. For programs where this kind of assessment is not possible, we use student and program goals and benchmarks to monitor progress. Evoke also provides weekly feedback forms that highlight each student’s progress, accomplishments, and areas of challenge.

The exception to this procedure is services that are delivered by certified and registered healthcare professionals, including social workers, occupational therapists, and psychotherapists. These practitioners are governed by their college’s code of ethics, standards of practice, and by-laws. They are required to uphold the privacy of clients/students by keeping all information confidential and complying with applicable provincial and federal privacy legislation. They are not permitted to disclose client/student information and are required to maintain confidentiality except in the following situations:

1. If requested by law enforcement
2. If ordered by a judge/court
3. If another regulated health care professional has been sexually inappropriate with their client(s)
4. If there is an immediate risk of harm to self or others
5. If there is suspected abuse or neglect or a child needs protection
6. If a regulatory college (i.e., The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario) requests documents for quality assurance.
7. The client/student has provided written consent.

When disclosure is required or requested, our licenced practitioners must inform clients/students about the scope of the information being disclosed and any possible consequences. If a client/student chooses not to share specific information, parents and caregivers are required by law to respect their confidentiality. 

Evoke operates seven days a week from approximately 7:30 am to 9 pm. All services are by appointment only and one-to-one. Evoke offers flexible session times, including day, evening, and weekend availability.

Evoke does not offer package deals. Rather, we invoice at the beginning of each month for the sessions that month. We require 48 (business) hours’ notice to reschedule a session and four hours’ notice in an emergency. Sessions cannot be cancelled and are nonrefundable, however they can be rescheduled with the appropriate notice.

Receipts are provided for services rendered by registered social workers, psychotherapists, and occupational therapists that can be used for private benefit plans. If a student has a formal diagnosis rendered by an accredited medical professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, family doctor, or paediatrician, our services are income tax-deductible through the disability tax credit. More information on this can be found on the canada.ca website.

For students with autism, the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) funding may also cover some of our services, such as reading remediation and executive functioning coaching. The OAP offers support to families of children and youth under 18 on the autism spectrum. It is funded and administered by the Province of Ontario. More information on the program can be found here. 

The Bursary for Students with Disabilities program (BSWD) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-PDSE), which are funded through the Ontario provincial and Canadian federal governments, assist students who are eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), who have a permanent disability and financial need, to meet their disability-related educational costs. More information can be found on the OSAP website.

Evoke is a centre that focuses on delivering programming informed by research-informed, peer-reviewed cognitive science. Our instructors include certified teachers, social workers, psychotherapists, learning strategists, and individuals with academic credentials in disciplines such as neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, communicative disorders, education, child and youth studies, cognitive science, and language studies. Our tutors are experts in their field of study.