ADHD Assessment in Calgary for Children and Teens

An ADHD assessment may be helpful when difficulties with attention, organization, forgetfulness, impulsivity, or restlessness persist and interfere with daily life. You might notice repeated reminders, unfinished tasks, lost belongings, or frequent difficulties with routines.

Because these challenges can have many possible causes, a comprehensive ADHD assessment looks beyond individual behaviours to understand the pattern, impact, and underlying reasons for your child’s difficulties.

Yes. Some children with ADHD experience emotions intensely and have difficulty pausing before reacting or calming down after becoming upset. Everyday demands can leave them frustrated or overwhelmed. Emotional difficulties alone do not establish ADHD, however.

An ADHD Assessment can help determine whether these difficulties are related to ADHD or whether other factors may be contributing.

ADHD in girls can involve daydreaming, forgetfulness, disorganization, difficulty completing tasks, or feeling overwhelmed. Some girls show less obvious hyperactivity, so their difficulties may attract less attention. Others work hard to compensate or appear to manage while experiencing considerable stress. Friendship difficulties can also be common.

An ADHD assessment considers these quieter patterns alongside more visible symptoms, recognizing that each child’s presentation is individual.

Some girls also develop strategies to compensate for their difficulties, which can make ADHD easier to miss. An assessment considers these less obvious patterns as well as how attention and executive functioning affect everyday life.

Yes. Good grades do not rule out ADHD. Some children maintain strong academic performance while relying on substantial parent support, extra time, or considerable effort. Difficulties may be more apparent in organization, relationships, routines, or independent work.

An ADHD Assessment looks beyond report cards to understand how your child is functioning and how much effort it takes to keep up.

Yes. A child who is gifted and also has ADHD may be described as twice-exceptional, or 2e. Advanced abilities can make attention difficulties less apparent, while organizational challenges or inconsistent performance can obscure giftedness. Assessment can help clarify both strengths and support needs.

If learning difficulties are also present, we can discuss whether a broader psychoeducational assessment would be helpful. Recommendations should support advanced learning alongside ADHD-related needs.

At Blue Spruce Psychology, most ADHD assessments are completed over two to four weeks, depending on scheduling and the return of questionnaires.

The process includes an intake meeting, approximately four hours of testing, and a feedback meeting. Your written report is provided within two weeks of feedback. We’ll review the expected timeline before beginning.

Yes. Your report can be shared with your child’s school to inform classroom strategies, accommodations, and educational planning. When ADHD is identified, it documents the diagnosis and explains your child’s support needs.

Schools determine eligibility for their programs and how recommendations will be implemented; an assessment does not automatically guarantee particular services or an IPP.

An ADHD assessment at Blue Spruce Psychology costs $2,160, including intake, testing, scoring and interpretation, feedback, and a written report with recommendations.

Payment is made throughout the assessment and can sometimes be spread across family members. Many extended health plans provide some coverage for psychological assessments, and direct billing is available for many insurers. Confirm assessment eligibility, remaining coverage, and any referral or daily-limit requirements before booking.

Learn more about Fees and Insurance here.

An ADHD diagnosis does not automatically lead to medication. Recommendations are individualized and often include parent education, school accommodations, organizational strategies, behavioural supports, and, in some cases, discussion of medication.

Medication can be an effective part of treatment, and any decision about prescribing is made with a qualified healthcare provider, considering your child’s needs and your family’s questions and preferences.

Yes. A teenager may notice difficulties with attention, time management, or keeping up with increasing demands and ask whether ADHD could help explain their experiences. Their perspective is an important part of assessment.

We can discuss what they hope to understand, how the process works, and parent/guardian involvement based on their age and circumstances.