Psychoeducational Assessment in Edmonton

A comprehensive psychoeducational assessment at Ruby Therapy Services costs $2,190. This flat fee includes cognitive (IQ) testing, academic achievement evaluation, learning disability screening, a detailed written report with diagnosis, IPP and accommodation recommendations, and a feedback session with your Registered Psychologist. Payment plans are available, and some extended health insurance plans cover psychological assessments. We provide detailed receipts for reimbursement. Call (587) 410-9791 for details.

Some extended health insurance plans in Alberta cover psychological assessments, including psychoeducational testing. Coverage varies widely between providers and plans. We recommend calling your insurance company and asking about coverage for "psychological assessment by a Registered Psychologist." Ruby Therapy provides detailed receipts that you can submit for reimbursement. Alberta Health Care does not cover private psychoeducational assessments, but some employer benefit plans and FSCD may help offset costs.

A psychoeducational assessment focuses on cognitive abilities (IQ) and academic achievement to identify learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia. An ADHD assessment specifically evaluates attention, hyperactivity, and executive functioning. At Ruby Therapy in Edmonton, if we suspect ADHD during a psychoeducational assessment, we discuss adding ADHD screening. Many families choose a comprehensive assessment that covers both, since ADHD and learning disabilities frequently co-occur.

We typically assess children starting around age 6 (Grade 1), when academic skills like reading and math are being formally taught. For learning disability diagnosis, we often recommend waiting until at least mid-Grade 2 so there is enough academic exposure to identify specific patterns. If you have concerns earlier, we can discuss what type of assessment would be most appropriate for your child's age and developmental stage.

Our psychoeducational assessment in Edmonton includes a parent interview, cognitive (IQ) testing using the WISC-V or similar standardized measures, academic achievement testing in reading, writing, and math, learning disability screening, a comprehensive written report with diagnosis and recommendations, and a feedback session with the psychologist. We also collect teacher questionnaires and review school records to build a complete picture of your child's learning profile.

From initial consultation to receiving your final report, the entire process typically takes 4-6 weeks. Testing sessions span 4-8 hours total depending on age, spread across 1-3 appointments. Report writing takes approximately 2-3 weeks after testing is complete. The feedback session runs about 60 minutes. We schedule efficiently while ensuring thoroughness for accurate results.

No physician referral is required to book a psychoeducational assessment at Ruby Therapy Services. Parents can contact us directly by phone at (587) 410-9791 or by email at admin@rubytherapy.ca. Teachers, pediatricians, and other professionals may also refer families to us, but a formal medical referral is not needed to proceed with booking.

The WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition) is a widely used IQ test for children and teens ages 6-16. It measures verbal comprehension, visual-spatial reasoning, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. Ruby Therapy's Registered Psychologists use the WISC-V and other nationally normed, evidence-based tools recognized by Edmonton schools, Alberta Education, and Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Yes. A psychoeducational assessment is the primary method for diagnosing dyslexia (a specific learning disability in reading) in Edmonton. Our assessment evaluates phonological processing, reading fluency, decoding skills, and reading comprehension alongside IQ testing. If your child struggles with sounding out words, reads slowly, or avoids reading altogether, a psychoeducational assessment can determine whether dyslexia is the cause and provide specific intervention recommendations.

The assessment report provides specific, actionable recommendations that Edmonton schools use to create or update your child's Individual Program Plan (IPP). This may include accommodations like extra time on tests, assistive technology, modified assignments, or specialized instruction. Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic Schools require a psychoeducational assessment to access many learning support services and Alberta Education coding.

An IPP (Individual Program Plan) is Alberta's version of an individualized education plan. It outlines specific accommodations, modifications, and goals for students who need learning support. A psychoeducational assessment provides the formal documentation schools need to create or strengthen an IPP. Our reports include concrete recommendations for classroom accommodations, teaching strategies, and support services that align with Alberta Education standards.

Most children and teens actually enjoy assessment sessions. The activities include puzzles, games, and conversations rather than stressful exams. Our psychologists are experienced working with young people and create a warm, encouraging environment. We build in breaks, offer snacks, and adjust pacing based on needs. Many children leave asking to come back, and most teens find the experience more interesting than stressful.

School psychologists in Edmonton are employed by school boards and provide assessments at no cost, but waitlists can be 6-18 months or longer. A private psychoeducational assessment at Ruby Therapy typically has much shorter wait times and provides a more comprehensive report that you own and can share with any school, physician, or post-secondary institution. Private assessments also give families direct access to the psychologist for follow-up questions and advocacy support.

Yes. Because a psychoeducational assessment includes comprehensive IQ testing, it can identify intellectual giftedness alongside or instead of learning disabilities. Some children are "twice-exceptional" (2e), meaning they are gifted and have a learning disability simultaneously. This combination often goes undetected because strengths mask weaknesses. Our Edmonton psychologists are experienced in identifying these complex profiles and providing appropriate recommendations.

For Alberta school purposes, psychoeducational assessments are typically considered current for 3-5 years, though this varies by school division. For Alberta Education diploma exam accommodations and post-secondary accessibility services, assessments usually need to be within 5 years. Learning disabilities are lifelong, so the diagnosis remains valid, but updated testing may be needed at key transitions to ensure recommendations stay appropriate.

Yes. Our psychoeducational assessments meet Alberta Education requirements for diploma exam accommodations. Common accommodations include extra time (50% or 100%), separate rooms, use of a computer for written responses, and access to assistive technology. We recommend completing the assessment in Grade 10 or early Grade 11 to allow time for accommodation applications before diploma exams.

Absolutely. Universities and colleges across Alberta, including the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, NAIT, and others, require formal documentation to provide academic accommodations. Our psychoeducational assessment reports are accepted by post-secondary accessibility services offices. Accommodations at university can include extra exam time, note-taking support, reduced course loads, and assistive technology access.

The assessment is valuable regardless of whether a learning disability is identified. You will still gain important information about cognitive strengths and weaknesses, learning style, and processing patterns. We may identify other factors affecting performance such as anxiety, attention difficulties, processing speed differences, or giftedness creating unique challenges. Every assessment includes tailored recommendations based on the specific profile discovered.

Ensure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before testing day. Tell them they will be doing puzzles, games, and activities with a friendly psychologist. Avoid using words like "test" or "exam." Bring any glasses or hearing aids they normally use. We also suggest bringing a snack and water bottle. There is no way to study or prepare for the assessment, which is by design to capture natural ability levels.

Yes. Our psychoeducational assessment evaluates math calculation, math fluency, and mathematical reasoning alongside IQ testing to determine if a specific learning disability in mathematics (dyscalculia) is present. If your child struggles with number sense, memorizing math facts, understanding word problems, or consistently performs below expectations in math despite adequate instruction, assessment can provide clarity and specific intervention recommendations.

After receiving your report, you can share it with your child's school to request or update an IPP. Many families schedule a meeting with the school learning support team. With your consent, our psychologist can attend school meetings to help explain findings and advocate for recommended accommodations. If the assessment identifies needs for additional support, Ruby Therapy also offers counselling, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and literacy support under one roof.

Yes. Ruby Therapy Services is located in St. Albert at 7 St Anne St #104, conveniently serving families from Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Fort Saskatchewan, and surrounding communities. Our psychoeducational assessment reports are accepted by all Alberta school divisions, Alberta Education, and post-secondary institutions across the province. Many families drive from surrounding communities for our shorter wait times and comprehensive service.

Yes. Our psychoeducational assessment evaluates written expression, spelling, handwriting quality, and the ability to organize ideas in writing. Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability in written expression that makes writing physically difficult, slow, or illegible despite adequate instruction. If diagnosed, accommodations might include use of a computer for written work, extended time, or access to speech-to-text software at school.

Wait times vary depending on the time of year and current demand. Private psychoeducational assessments at Ruby Therapy typically have significantly shorter wait times compared to school board assessments, which can take 6-18 months. We recommend booking early, especially if you need results before a specific deadline such as diploma exams or school transition. Call (587) 410-9791 to check current availability.

Processing speed measures how quickly your child can take in, process, and respond to simple information. It is one of the key cognitive abilities tested in a psychoeducational assessment. Children with slow processing speed may understand material well but take much longer to complete tests and assignments than peers. This is one of the most common reasons for school accommodations like extended time, even when no learning disability is present.

Alberta's Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program may help cover the cost of assessments in some situations, particularly if your child already has an FSCD file or qualifies based on a diagnosed disability. Coverage depends on individual circumstances and FSCD caseworker discretion. We recommend contacting FSCD before booking to ask about assessment funding. Our clinic is experienced in working with FSCD families.

If your child's teacher has recommended testing, it is worth following up. You can ask the school whether they can provide an assessment through their school psychologist (free but often long waits) or pursue a private assessment for faster results. Contact Ruby Therapy at (587) 410-9791 to discuss your concerns and determine whether a psychoeducational assessment is the right fit. No referral is needed to begin.

Yes. Ruby Therapy is a multi-disciplinary clinic offering assessments, counselling, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and literacy support all under one roof. If the assessment reveals needs for additional support such as reading intervention, executive function coaching, anxiety counselling, or occupational therapy for handwriting, we can coordinate services without requiring separate referrals to other providers in Edmonton.

A psychoeducational assessment (sometimes called a psych ed assessment or educational psych assessment) is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a Registered Psychologist that measures cognitive abilities through IQ testing and academic achievement across reading, writing, and math. The psychoeducational tests used are nationally normed, standardized instruments such as the WISC-V for cognitive ability and the WIAT-4 for academic skills. The results identify whether a learning disability, giftedness, or processing difficulty is affecting school performance, and provide specific recommendations for support.

Ruby Therapy specializes in psychoeducational assessments for children and teens (ages 6-17). For an adult psychoeducational assessment, we recommend contacting a psychologist who specializes in psychoeducational assessment for adults, as the testing instruments and interpretation differ from pediatric assessments. If you are a post-secondary student seeking accommodations, our teen assessments (up to age 17) include documentation accepted by universities. For adults over 18, we are happy to provide referral suggestions to qualified Edmonton-area practitioners who offer adult psychoeducational assessments.

Ruby Therapy Services is located at 7 St Anne St #104 in St. Albert, just minutes from Edmonton. If you are searching for a psychoeducational assessment near me or IQ testing near me in the Edmonton area, our clinic is conveniently accessible from all parts of Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, and Fort Saskatchewan. We offer comprehensive psychoeducational assessments with shorter wait times than most school board options. Call (587) 410-9791 to book your child's psych ed assessment today.