Psychoeducational
Assessments
We provide in-depth insights into your child's cognitive abilities, academic skills, and social-emotional functioning. We work with children and youth to identify strengths, uncover challenges, and create actionable strategies for success.
psychoeducational Assessments for Children, teens in Edmonton & St. Albert
Understand your child's unique learning profile to unlock their potential.
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A psychoeducational assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that examines your child's cognitive abilities, academic skills, and emotional functioning to identify learning strengths and challenges.
Our team uses a variety of standardized tests, observational techniques, and in-depth interviews with your child, parents/guardians, and your child's school team (with consent) to create a detailed profile of your child's unique learning needs.
This assessment helps us develop personalized educational strategies and interventions to support your child's success in school and beyond.
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A psychoeducational assessment is valuable for children and youth who:
Struggle academically despite adequate effort and support
Have difficulties with attention, focus, or organization
Show signs of a learning disability (reading, writing, math)
Experience gaps between their abilities and school performance
Need documentation for school accommodations or an IEP
Are exceptionally bright and may benefit from gifted programming
Have behavioral or emotional challenges impacting learning
Require clarity about cognitive strengths and weaknesses
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Our comprehensive assessment provides insights into:
Cognitive abilities (verbal reasoning, visual-spatial skills, working memory, processing speed)
Academic achievement (reading, writing, math skills)
Learning strengths and weaknesses
Presence of learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia)
Attention and executive functioning
Social-emotional and behavioral functioning
Recommendations for home and school support
Investment &
Insurance Coverage
Priced at $2,190, this assessment includes:
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What It Is:
We believe that parents are important partners in the assessment process. Our thorough parent interview allows us to gather essential information about your child's developmental history, current concerns, and behavioral patterns across different settings.
Why It Matters:
This discussion helps us understand your child's strengths, challenges, and unique characteristics that may not be apparent in standardized testing alone. Your insights provide crucial context for interpreting assessment results and developing practical, family-centered recommendations tailored to your child's specific needs and your family's goals.
What We Discuss:
Developmental milestones and early childhood history
Academic concerns and current school performance
Behavioral and emotional patterns at home and school
Social relationships and peer interactions
Previous assessments, interventions, or therapy
Family goals and questions about your child's learning
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What It Is:
Our cognitive assessment is a cornerstone of the psychoeducational evaluation process. We utilize age-appropriate, industry-standard tools such as:
WPPSI-IV (for ages 2:6 to 7:7)
WISC-V (for ages 6 to 16:11)
WAIS-IV (for ages 17+)
What It Measures:
These assessments thoroughly evaluate your child's intellectual abilities across key areas:
Verbal comprehension
Visual-spatial skills
Fluid reasoning
Working memory
Processing speed
Why It Matters:
By understanding these cognitive strengths and challenges, we can tailor educational strategies and recommendations to optimize your child's learning potential. This information is crucial for identifying learning disabilities, giftedness, or cognitive processing differences.
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What It Is:
Using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III), we conduct a comprehensive academic evaluation to measure your child's scholastic performance.
What It Measures:
This assessment covers crucial academic areas:
Reading comprehension and word reading
Phonological awareness (sound awareness for reading)
Written expression and spelling
Mathematics problem-solving
Numerical operations
Oral language skills (listening comprehension)
Why It Matters:
Our detailed analysis helps identify any learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia) or areas of giftedness, allowing us to create personalized educational plans that align with your child's academic goals. This evaluation is particularly valuable for children struggling with specific subjects or those who may benefit from advanced learning opportunities.
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What It Is:
The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-III) is our primary tool for gaining deep insights into your child's behavioral and emotional functioning.
What It Measures:
This multi-faceted assessment evaluates areas such as:
Adaptability and social skills
Leadership and study skills
Functional communication
Anxiety and depression
Attention problems
Hyperactivity and aggression
Emotional regulation and self-control
Why It Matters:
By understanding your child's social-emotional profile, we can address any underlying issues that may impact their academic performance and social interactions. This assessment is crucial for developing strategies to enhance emotional regulation, social competence, and overall well-being within both educational and home environments.
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What It Is:
Following the completion of all assessments, we schedule a comprehensive debrief meeting to discuss our findings in detail.
What Happens:
During this session, we:
Explain the results of each assessment component in clear, understandable language
Discuss the implications for your child's learning and development
Answer all your questions and address your concerns
Collaboratively develop strategies and interventions for home and school
Provide guidance on next steps and available resources
Timing:
The debrief meeting is scheduled within 2 weeks of the assessment date.
Why It Matters:
We encourage questions and open dialogue, aiming to empower you with knowledge about your child's cognitive profile, academic strengths and needs, and social-emotional functioning. This meeting is an opportunity to collaboratively develop strategies that can be implemented at home and in educational settings to support your child's growth and success.
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What It Is:
The culmination of our assessment process is a detailed interpretive report that serves as a roadmap for your child's educational journey.
What's Included:
This comprehensive document outlines:
Your child's cognitive strengths and weaknesses
Academic achievements and areas for improvement
Social-emotional functioning profile
Diagnostic impressions (if applicable)
Specific, actionable recommendations for parents, teachers, and other professionals
Strategies for school accommodations and support
Resources and referrals for additional services (if needed)
Why It Matters:
This valuable resource can be used to:
Advocate for appropriate educational accommodations
Guide IEP (Individualized Education Plan) development
Inform future therapeutic interventions
Support your child's self-advocacy skills as they grow
Provide documentation for school or insurance purposes
Format:
You'll receive a professionally written, comprehensive report that is yours to keep and share with your child's educational team and other professionals involved in their care.
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Good News: most Extended Health Benefit plans cover Psychological Assessments
Psychoeducational assessments conducted by registered psychologists are typically covered by extended health insurance plans.
What to Know:
Coverage amounts and annual limits vary by insurance plan
We recommend checking with your insurance provider before scheduling to understand your specific benefits
Many plans have specific allowances for psychological assessments in addition to general psychology services
How It Works:
We provide detailed receipts with all necessary information for insurance reimbursement
You submit the receipt to your insurance provider for reimbursement
We do not offer direct billing at this time
Check With Your Provider:
Before booking, we encourage you to contact your insurance company and ask:
"Does my plan cover psychoeducational assessments by a registered psychologist?"
"What is my annual coverage limit for psychological services?"
“Is there a daily limit of hours that will be covered on one session date?”
"Do I need a referral from a physician for coverage?"
Additional Assessment Options
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When It's Recommended:
For children and youth exhibiting signs of attention difficulties, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.
What It Is:
The Conners-3 is a gold-standard tool for screening Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
What It Measures:
This assessment provides valuable insights into:
Inattention and distractibility levels
Hyperactivity and impulsivity
Executive functioning skills (planning, organization, self-control)
Impact of symptoms across different settings (home, school)
Why It Matters:
By identifying ADHD symptoms early, we can recommend appropriate interventions, accommodations, and support services available in St. Albert, Edmonton, and surrounding areas. This evaluation is particularly beneficial for children struggling with focus in academic settings or at home.
School Collaboration:
If parents consent, we are always open to collaborating with your child's school team to learn more about how your child functions in different areas of their daily life.
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When It's Recommended:
For children and youth showing signs of excessive worry, fear, avoidance behaviors, or anxiety-related difficulties.
What It Is:
Anxiety can significantly impact a child's learning and overall well-being. We offer age-appropriate anxiety assessments tailored to different developmental stages.
Assessment Tools Used:
PAS (Preschool Anxiety Scale) for younger children
SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders) for school-age children
BAI (Beck Anxiety Inventory) for teens and young adults
What It Measures:
These tools help us understand:
The nature and severity of anxiety symptoms
Specific types of anxiety (separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety)
Impact on daily functioning, learning, and social relationships
Physical symptoms and emotional distress
Why It Matters:
Understanding anxiety levels allows us to tailor our educational and therapeutic recommendations accordingly. We can guide you towards appropriate mental health resources in your area and suggest strategies to manage anxiety in various settings, supporting both academic success and emotional well-being.
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When It's Recommended:
When cognitive delays are suspected or when you need a comprehensive understanding of your child's daily living skills.
What It Is:
The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3) evaluates your child's everyday living skills and functional independence.
What It Measures:
This crucial assessment examines:
Practical skills like dressing, personal hygiene, and safety awareness
Social skills including communication and relationship building
Conceptual abilities such as reading, writing, and money management
Independence in daily routines and self-care
Why It Matters:
Understanding your child's adaptive functioning is essential for developing targeted interventions and support strategies, both at home and in educational settings. This assessment helps us create a comprehensive plan that addresses not just academic needs, but also life skills crucial for independence and success as they grow.
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When It's Recommended:
For children who speak fluently in some settings (such as home) but are consistently silent or speak very little in other settings (such as school or public places).
What It Is:
Selective mutism can be a challenging condition that affects a child's ability to speak in certain social situations. We use the SMQ (Selective Mutism Questionnaire) to assess the presence and severity of this condition.
What It Measures:
This screening evaluates:
Speaking behaviors in different environments (home, school, public places)
Impact on social interactions and academic performance
Severity and patterns of the condition
Situations that trigger or reduce speaking difficulty
Why It Matters:
This screening is particularly valuable for children who may be struggling with verbal communication in classroom settings or social situations. By identifying selective mutism, we can develop specialized intervention plans that integrate therapeutic techniques with anxiety management strategies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your child's communication needs in educational and social environments.
Depending on your child's specific needs and concerns, we offer additional specialized assessments. These optional assessments provide deeper insights into specific areas of functioning.
These additional assessments can be discussed during your initial consultation or parent interview. We'll help you determine which assessments, if any, would provide valuable insights for your child's specific situation.
Pricing for additional assessments is available upon request.
What to Expect: The Assessment process
We understand that scheduling a psychoeducational assessment can feel overwhelming. Here's what the process looks like, step by step.
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Reach out to our team to discuss your concerns and determine if a psychoeducational assessment is right for your child.
What Happens:
You'll speak with a member of our team about your child's challenges and your goals
We'll explain the assessment process, what's included, and answer your initial questions
We'll discuss any additional assessment options that may be beneficial
You'll receive information about pricing, insurance coverage, and scheduling
Next Steps:
If you decide to move forward, we'll schedule your parent interview and assessment appointments.
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Before meeting with your child, we conduct an in-depth parent interview to gather essential background information.
What We Discuss:
Your child's developmental history and milestones
Current academic performance and concerns
Behavioral, emotional, and social functioning
Previous assessments, diagnoses, or interventions
Family goals and questions
Your Role:
Your insights are invaluable. This is your opportunity to share what you know about your child, express your concerns, and help us understand your child's unique strengths and challenges.
Format:
This interview can be conducted in-person at our St. Albert location or virtually, depending on your preference and schedule.
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Your child will meet with our psychologist for comprehensive testing. The assessment is divided into sessions with breaks to ensure your child remains comfortable and engaged.
What Your Child Will Do:
Complete a variety of activities and tasks (puzzles, questions, reading, drawing, games)
Take breaks as needed (we have snacks and toys available)
Work one-on-one with our psychologist in a comfortable, child-friendly environment
What to Bring:
Any previous assessment reports or relevant documentation
Your child's favorite snack or comfort item (if desired)
A positive, encouraging attitude!
Preparing Your Child:
We recommend talking to your child beforehand to help them know what to expect. You can explain:
"We're going to visit a psychologist who will do some activities with you to learn about how you think and learn"
"You'll do things like look at pictures, read, listen, play games, and solve puzzles"
"There are no right or wrong answers—we just want to see how you learn best"
"You can bring a favorite toy or book to show, and we'll have snacks and breaks"
Parent Involvement:
Part of the assessment includes parent involvement to help your child feel comfortable. Part of the assessment is completed one-on-one with your child.
Location:
All assessments are conducted in-person at our St. Albert location in comfortable, child-friendly rooms.
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After the assessment appointments, our psychologist carefully scores all tests, analyzes the results, and writes a comprehensive interpretive report.
What Happens:
All assessment data is reviewed and analyzed
Test scores are interpreted in the context of your child's background and history
Patterns of strengths and weaknesses are identified
Diagnostic impressions are formed (if applicable)
Specific, actionable recommendations are developed
A detailed report is written
Timeline:
This process typically takes 1-2 weeks to complete thoroughly and thoughtfully.
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We schedule a comprehensive meeting to review the assessment findings, discuss results, and answer all your questions.
What We Cover:
Explanation of all test results in clear, understandable language
Your child's cognitive profile (strengths and areas of need)
Academic achievement and any identified learning challenges
Social-emotional and behavioral functioning
Diagnostic impressions and what they mean
Detailed recommendations for home and school
Resources and next steps
Your Opportunity:
Ask questions, seek clarification, and collaborate with us to develop strategies that will support your child's success.
Timeline:
The debrief meeting is scheduled within 2 weeks of the assessment date.
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Following the debrief meeting, you'll receive your comprehensive written report.
What You'll Receive:
A professionally written, detailed report (typically 15-25 pages)
Test scores and interpretations
Diagnostic impressions
Specific recommendations for parents, teachers, and other professionals
Resources and referrals (if applicable)
How to Use It:
Share with your child's school to advocate for accommodations or support services
Provide to other professionals (therapists, doctors) involved in your child's care
Use as documentation for IEP development or funding applications
Keep as a record of your child's learning profile and progress over time
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Our support doesn't end when you receive your report. We're here to help you implement recommendations and navigate next steps.
Ongoing Support:
Questions about the report or recommendations? Reach out anytime.
Need help communicating findings to your child's school? We can provide guidance.
Wondering about therapeutic services or additional support? We can refer you to appropriate resources.
School Collaboration:
With your consent, we're happy to communicate with your child's school team to discuss findings and recommendations.
Re-Assessment:
Psychoeducational assessments are typically repeated every 3-5 years as needed to monitor progress and update recommendations.
Why This Investment Matters
A psychoeducational assessment is an investment in your child's future. The insights gained from this comprehensive evaluation can:
Unlock your child's learning potential
Identify specific learning disabilities requiring intervention
Provide documentation for school accommodations and support
Guide educational planning and goal-setting
Reduce frustration and build confidence
Prevent academic struggles from worsening
Empower your child with self-understanding and advocacy skills
Many families find that the clarity and direction provided by a thorough assessment is invaluable for their child's long-term success.
Have questions about psychoeducational assessments?
We're here to help.
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Consider a psychoeducational assessment if your child is struggling academically despite trying their best, shows a gap between their abilities and school performance, has difficulties with attention or focus, shows signs of a learning disability, or needs documentation for school accommodations. It's also valuable for exceptionally bright children who may benefit from gifted programming or for children whose behavioral or emotional challenges are impacting their learning.
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We conduct psychoeducational assessments for children and youth, typically from preschool age through adolescence (approximately ages 2.5 to 18 years). We use age-appropriate assessment tools tailored to your child's developmental level.
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The assessment process typically takes 2-4 hours with your child, divided into sessions with breaks. This does not include the parent interview (60-90 minutes) or the debrief meeting (60 minutes). The entire process from initial contact to receiving your written report usually takes 3-4 weeks.
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Talk to your child beforehand to help them know what to expect. Explain that they'll be doing activities like looking at pictures, reading, listening, playing games, and solving puzzles to help us understand how they learn best. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers and that the psychologist is there to help. Encourage them to try their best and remind them that breaks and snacks will be available. They may wish to bring a favorite book or toy to show during the assessment.
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As a parent, you play a vital role in the psychoeducational assessment process. Your insights into your child's developmental history, behavior, and learning patterns are invaluable. We begin with a detailed parent interview to gather this essential information. Throughout the assessment, we encourage open communication and collaboration. After the evaluation, we provide a comprehensive report and schedule a feedback session to discuss the findings and recommendations. We want to partner with parents to develop effective strategies that support your child's educational journey and overall well-being.
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If a learning disability is identified, our comprehensive report will outline the specific nature of the disability, its impact on learning, and detailed recommendations for support. This documentation can be used to advocate for school accommodations, develop an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), access specialized tutoring or therapy, and inform educational planning. We'll discuss resources available in St. Albert, Edmonton, and surrounding areas and can refer you to appropriate specialists or programs.
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A psychoeducational assessment can screen for ADHD symptoms (especially when the Conners-3 is included as an additional option) and provide valuable information about attention, focus, and executive functioning. However, a formal ADHD diagnosis typically requires a comprehensive ADHD-specific evaluation. Our assessment does not diagnose autism spectrum disorder, but we offer specialized multidisciplinary autism assessments separately. If concerns about ADHD or autism arise during the evaluation, we'll discuss next steps and appropriate referrals.
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Yes. Our psychoeducational assessments are comprehensive, conducted by experienced registered psychologists, and meet professional standards. Schools in Alberta accept and use these assessments to develop IEPs, provide accommodations, and plan educational support. The detailed recommendations in our report are designed to be practical and actionable for teachers and school teams. With your consent, we're happy to communicate directly with your child's school to discuss findings and recommendations.
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Psychoeducational assessments are typically repeated every 3-5 years, depending on your child's needs and circumstances. Cognitive abilities remain relatively stable, but academic skills and social-emotional functioning can change over time. Re-assessment may be recommended when your child transitions to a new educational stage (e.g., elementary to middle school), when new concerns arise, or when updated documentation is needed for accommodations or services.
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We understand that some children feel anxious about testing. Our psychologists are experienced in working with anxious children and create a warm, supportive environment. We take breaks as needed, use encouraging language, and make the process feel like engaging activities rather than formal tests. Parents can be present for part of the session to help their child feel comfortable. If anxiety is a significant concern, we can discuss strategies before the assessment and consider including an anxiety screening as part of the evaluation.