assessments CALGARY

Individuals refer themselves or their children for psychological assessments when there are concerns about: 

• Poor academic performance
• Difficulty with attention and/or behaviour at home, school or work
• Feelings of distress, low motivation, sadness, anxiety, poor self-concept, or difficulty with friendships
• Specific queries about developmental or mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, developmental delays)

Psychoeducational assessments identify areas of strength and weakness in a student’s learning profile and answer questions concerning cognitive, academic, social, emotional, behavioural and adaptive functioning. 

These assessments are typically conducted on students of all ages, from young children to adults (Kindergarten to Grade 12). They are also frequently used to help adults in post-secondary institutions. 

Psychoeducational assessments screen for the following: 

• Learning Disorders (i.e., reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia) and mathematics (dyscalculia))
• ADHD
• Anxiety/Depression
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Behavioural Challenges
• Emotional Dysregulation
• Executive Functioning Deficits
• Fine and Gross Motor Impairment.

A psychoeducational assessment includes the following components: 

• Intake/Interview  
• Review of report cards and previous assessment reports (if applicable) 
• 2 - 4 hours of testing (i.e., cognitive abilities, academic achievement)

                  Note: The length of testing varies from individual to individual. 

• Questionnaires and rating scales completed by multiple sources (i.e., client, parent/guardian, teachers) 
• Feedback meeting 
• Detailed written report  
• Recommendations and accommodations are provided at the feedback session and are included in the final report 
• Common academic accommodations include: 

1. More time to complete tests and exams
2. Access to a laptop and assistive technology, i.e., Word to Text
3. Permission to audio-record lectures
4. Taking tests or exams in a quiet, supervised environment
5. Modified test and exam schedule 

Psychoeducational assessments are also beneficial for post-secondary students. If an individual is diagnosed with a learning disability, the Canadian Student Grants Program provides up to $1,700 for them. Check with your college or university for how they can best support your learning.

*The cost of a complete psychoeducational is 2,400 and we will not exceed this range. 

***Many extended healthcare insurance benefits cover the cost of a psychoeducational assessment, partially or in full.***

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that involves a consistent pattern of difficulty regulating one’s attention, emotion and behaviour. Problems with focus, organization, patience, self-control and/or poor interpersonal skills may remain problematic in adults.  

You may be interested in taking our online ADHD screener test. Click here.

Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the key behaviours of ADHD. Some people with ADHD only have problems with one of the behaviours, while others demonstrate challenges in all behaviours.

• Inattention means a person who is easily distracted, makes careless mistakes, has difficulty listening to people, is forgetful, lacks persistence, has difficulty sustaining focus, and is disorganized; and these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.
• Hyperactivity means a person has difficulty staying seated for long periods of time, and excessively fidgets, squirms, taps, or talks. In adults, it may be extreme restlessness or wearing others out with constant activity.
• Impulsivity means a person makes hasty actions that occur in the moment without first thinking about them, or inability to delay gratification. An impulsive person may be socially intrusive, have difficulty waiting their turn, and excessively interrupt others or make important decisions without considering the long-term consequences.

Do I have ADHD? Does my child have ADHD?       

A detailed assessment of attention can help you determine that.  We have assessed several children, adolescents and adults at Stride Psychology. We specialize in testing and treating ADHD—so we are familiar with the best strategies for success in giving you or your child a brighter future. Recommendations are targeted, specific, and personalized for you.

An assessment for ADHD includes the following components:

• Clinical interview (obtaining individuals medical and developmental history)
• Cognitive Testing (up to 1.5 hours)

                  Note: The length of testing varies from individual to individual. 

• Review of prior evaluations, educational reports (if applicable)
• Information about your functioning in multiple environments (i.e., at work, school, and home) using self, parent, observer, and teacher-rated questionnaires
• Comorbidity/socio-emotional screening
• Feedback meeting
• Detailed written report 
• Recommendations to improve learning and functioning at school, home, and work.

*The cost of a complete ADHD assessment is $1,500.

***Many extended healthcare insurance benefits cover the cost of an ADHD assessment, partially or in full.***

Giftedness is identified when a child’s intellectual ability (FSIQ) or General Ability Index (GAI) falls in the range of 130 (+/- 5). Giftedness testing is helpful in determining whether a child would qualify for access to educational programs, specifically catered to children who are identified as gifted. 

Entrance into both Westmount Charter School and the CBE Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programs require IQ tests completed by a Psychologist. The most common tests administered are the WISC-V or the WPPSI-IV (for IQ testing or cognitive testing) and the WIAT-III (for an academic evaluation). As part of the application process, Westmount Charter School requires only IQ testing whereas CBE GATE Program requires both IQ and academic testing.

A gifted assessment includes the following components:

• Parent/guardian intake interview
• 2-4 hours of testing 

                  Note: The length of testing varies from individual to individual. 

• Feedback meeting
• Written report with all results
• Recommendations on how you and your child's school can support their learning.

*The cost of a complete gifted test is $900-$1,500 (depending on whether academic testing is required). However, should your child not meet gifted criteria, you may opt out of receiving a written report and pay a reduced fee of $500. 

***Many extended healthcare insurance benefits cover the cost of a gifted assessment, partially or in full.***

If you are applying for PDD/AISH funding,  we can provide you with a report that is required for the application process. The assessment examines intellectual (IQ) skills and adaptive functioning. 

Intellectual Disability involves impairment in intellectual functioning (i.e., reasoning, problem solving, planning, academic learning) and adaptive functioning (i.e., communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, safety).
 

An assessment for PDD/AISH funding includes the following components:

• Intake interview
• up to 2 hours of testing (IQ testing)

                  Note: The length of testing varies from individual to individual. 

• Evaluation of adaptive functioning 
• Feedback meeting
• A written report with all results

*The cost of a complete developmental disabilities assessment is $1,400.

***Many extended healthcare insurance benefits cover the cost of an assessment for developmental disabilities, partially or in full.***

A Social-Emotional assessment is conducted in order to better understand an individual's inner life by exploring their feelings, thoughts, coping mechanisms, and ideas about the self and the world. It is recommended when an individual exhibits emotional (i.e., anxiety, depression) or behavioural issues. These assessments do not include formal testing of cognitive or academic abilities.

A Social-Emotional includes the following components:

• Clinical interview 
• Review of prior evaluations, educational reports (if applicable)
• Information about your functioning in multiple environments (i.e., at work, school, and home) using self, parent, observer, and teacher-rated questionnaires
• Feedback meeting
• Detailed written report 
• Recommendations to improve functioning at school, home, and/or work.

*The cost of a complete Social-Emotional assessment is $1,400.

***Many extended healthcare insurance benefits cover the cost of a Social-Emotional assessment, partially or in full.***