Assessment
Understanding what's getting in the way...
When your child is struggling at school, it can be difficult to understand why. They may be bright and capable, yet finding reading, writing, math, paying attention, or keeping up with schoolwork much harder than expected. You may be wondering whether there is a learning disability, ADHD, anxiety, or something else getting in the way.
A psychological assessment looks beyond grades and test scores to understand how your child learns, where their strengths lie, and where they may be experiencing difficulty. It can help clarify concerns related to learning disabilities, ADHD and attention, executive functioning, academic skills and any mental health concerns.
Sometimes, learning and attention difficulties are connected to other factors. Anxiety, OCD, depression, stress, sleep difficulties, or other emotional concerns can affect a child's concentration, memory, motivation, and ability to show what they know. These concerns can also occur alongside ADHD or a learning disability.
The goal is to understand the whole picture—so you have a clearer sense of what’s getting in the way, what your child needs, and how to support them moving forward. You’ll receive clear, practical recommendations tailored to your child’s strengths and needs, so you know what you can do to help them succeed at home and at school.
The Assessment Process
1.
Intial Consultation
We start with a conversation about what you've been noticing, your concerns, and what you'd like to understand better. We'll talk about your child's strengths, challenges, and history and determine whether a psychoeducational assessment is the right next step.
4.
Putting It All Together
Once the assessment is complete, I bring together the information from interviews, questionnaires, school records, and testing. I'll look for patterns across areas of strength and difficulty to develop a clear understanding of what may be getting in the way.
2.
Parent Interview
I'll meet with you to learn more about your child's development, learning history, school experience, attention and behaviour, and emotional wellbeing. With your permission, we may also review report cards, previous assessments, school information, or questionnaires completed by parents and teachers.
5.
Report & Recommendations
I'll prepare a comprehensive report that explains the findings in clear, accessible language. Where appropriate, it will include diagnostic conclusions and, most importantly, specific recommendations tailored to your child.
These recommendations may include strategies for home and school, learning supports, classroom accommodations, and suggestions for further intervention or assessment.
3.
Interview & Assessment
Your child will have the opportunity to get to know me and talk about their experiences. We'll then complete individualized testing to understand how your child thinks, learns, remembers, pays attention, and approaches academic tasks.
The process isn't about passing or failing—it’s about understanding how your child learns best.
6.
Feedback & Next Steps
We'll meet to go through the results together, answer your questions, and talk about what the findings mean for your child. We'll discuss the recommendations and identify practical next steps, so you leave with a clearer understanding of your child and a plan for how to support them moving forward.
Fees & Making Assessment More Accessible
An assessment is an investment in understanding your child and I believe the cost should be as transparent and manageable as possible.
Flexible Payment Options
Assessment fees are divided across the assessment process rather than requiring the full amount upfront. This can make the overall cost easier to manage.
Extended Health Benefits
Many extended health plans provide coverage for psychological services, although coverage varies.
When parents are actively involved in the assessment process, I can allocate the appropriate portions of the assessment to the parent(s) who participate in the assessment. This may allow families to make use of available benefits across family members, where their individual plans permit it.
Post-Secondary Student Learning Disability Assessment Program
Alberta Student Aid reimburses the cost of a learning disability assessment for eligible students. If your assessment doesn't result in a diagnosis of a learning disability, I absorb the fee, leaving you without the financial risk.
Limited Sliding-scale Availability
I believe that financial circumstances should not be the only thing standing between a child and a better understanding of how they learn.
I offer a limited number of sliding-scale assessment spaces for children and families who would otherwise be unable to access a comprehensive assessment.
If cost is a concern, please reach out. We can talk about what may be possible.
CONTACT US
Get in Touch
