CALGARY GIFTED ASSESSMENT
More Than A Number
Giftedness is about more than an IQ score. Discover how your child thinks, learns, and experiences the world.
Big potential deserves to be understood.
Some children seem to learn differently from an early age. They may ask endless questions, have an incredible memory, grasp new concepts quickly, or think about the world in ways that surprise the adults around them.
Others may seem bored, frustrated, anxious, perfectionistic, or misunderstood when their learning needs aren’t fully recognized.
A Gifted Assessment helps answer an important question:
Does my child's pattern of thinking and learning suggest giftedness?
Gifted Assessment
a.k.a. “IQ Test”, or “Gifted Testing”
A focused evaluation of your child’s intellectual abilities, strengths, and learning profile.
Gifted Assessments also provide documentation for admission to specialized programs, including Westmount Charter School and the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program through the Calgary Board of Education.
What a Gifted Assessment Can Show
A Gifted Assessment looks at how your child thinks, learns, reasons, and solves problems across different types of cognitive tasks.
Results identify your child's pattern of cognitive abilities, including areas of exceptional strength and areas where additional support may be helpful.
A Gifted Assessment Can Help Answer:
Is my child intellectually gifted?
Why does learning come easily in some areas but not others?
Why is my child bored or disengaged at school?
Would my child benefit from more academic challenge?
Does my child qualify for gifted programming or specialized schools?
Could ADHDor a learning difference be masking giftedness or vice versa?
What A Gifted Assessment Measures
Gifted Assessments use standardized cognitive testing to identify your child’s unique pattern of abilities and areas of exceptional strength.
Results are brought together in a detailed written report with practical recommendations for enrichment, educational planning, and appropriate challenge.
EVERY ASSESSMENT BEGINS WITH A QUESTION
What Are You Noticing?
Quick Learner
Picks up new concepts unusually quickly.
Advanced Academics
Reading, vocabulary, or reasoning well beyond age expectations.
Deep Interests
Develops unusually advanced knowledge in specific areas.
Intellectual Curiosity
Constantly curious and eager to learn more.
Deep Thinker
Asks complex or surprisingly thoughtful questions.
Creative Problem-Solver
Approaches ideas and problems in original ways.
Needs More Challenge
Becomes bored or frustrated by repetitive work.
Others See Potential
A teacher or other adult has suggested giftedness.
Program Eligibility
Gifted programming or school admission needs testing.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROFILE BEHIND THE SCORE
Your Assessment, Explained
A Gifted Assessment is only valuable if you understand the results.
Once your assessment is complete, I’ll meet with you to walk through the results, answer your questions, and discuss what they mean for your child.
You'll also receive a detailed report explaining your child's cognitive strengths and pattern of abilities, with recommendations for home, school, enrichment, and educational planning.
PLANNING FOR APPROPRIATE CHALLENGE
Recommendations That Make a Difference
Understanding your child’s abilities is only useful if you know what to do with that information.
Recommendations can help translate your child's cognitive profile into decisions about challenge, enrichment, classroom programming, and educational planning.
The goal is simple: help your child stay challenged, engaged, and supported as they learn.
A FOCUSED, STREAMLINED PROCESS
The Assessment Process
Getting Started
Clinical Interview and History
A structured interview gathers relevant developmental, educational, and family history.
When helpful, parents and teachers may also provide additional information.
Assessment Visit
Standardized Cognitive Testing
Your child completes standardized testing to explore areas such as verbal reasoning, visual-spatial skills, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.
Observations during testing provide additional context for understanding their results.
Your Results
Integration and Outcomes
Results identify your child's cognitive strengths and overall pattern of abilities.
You’ll receive practical recommendations for challenge, enrichment, educational planning, and support.
Learn more about my approach to assessment → Get to Know Kendra
Westmount Charter School & GATE Applications
Many families pursue a Gifted Assessment when applying to specialized educational programs.
If you're unsure what testing your child needs for a specific application, I'm happy to help confirm the requirements before you book.
A Gifted Assessment can provide the cognitive testing required when applying to Westmount Charter School.
GATE | Gifted and Talented Education
Assessment results may also support applications or planning for GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) with the Calgary Board of Education.
Admission criteria can change, so families should confirm current requirements directly with the school or program before booking.
Fees & Insurance
A Gifted Assessment is a significant investment. You should know exactly what’s included and what to expect from start to finish.
Your Assessment Includes
Complimentary consultation before booking
30-minute intake meeting and background review
Approximately two hours of standardized testing
Scoring, interpretation, and 30-minute feedback meeting
Individualized written report and recommendations
Follow-up support by phone or email
Hours, Rate, and Insurance
$960
4 hours of professional psychological services at $240/hourPay as you go
Payment after each appointment; same-day receiptExtended health benefits
Assessments are often covered in whole or in partDirect billing available
Canada Life, Desjardins, Industrial Alliance, Sun Life, and more
Questions about payment or coverage? → Learn more
CALGARY GIFTED ASSESSMENT
Your Questions, Answered
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Giftedness can look different from one child to another. Some children show advanced reasoning, rapid learning, intense curiosity, a strong memory, sophisticated vocabulary, or deep interests that stand out compared with same-age peers.
Other signs can be less obvious. A child may be highly capable but also bored, frustrated, or uneven in their development. A Gifted Assessment can identify your child's cognitive strengths and whether their abilities are within the gifted range.
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An IQ test can help determine whether your child’s cognitive abilities fall within the gifted range and provide a detailed picture of their reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and processing abilities.
Testing may also be required for certain gifted programs or when documentation of giftedness is needed for educational planning.
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Giftedness can be assessed in young children, but the best timing depends on the reason for testing. An assessment may be helpful when a child is showing advanced abilities, needs more challenge at school, or requires testing for a specific gifted program.
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Yes. Gifted children may become bored, disengaged, or frustrated when schoolwork does not provide enough challenge. Others may struggle despite very strong cognitive abilities because of difficulties with attention, executive functioning, learning, or emotional well-being.
When giftedness occurs alongside another area of difficulty, it is sometimes referred to as twice-exceptionality (2e). Assessment can help identify both strengths and challenges.
When giftedness occurs alongside ADHD or a learning difference, a more comprehensive Psychoeducational Assessment may be helpful.
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Yes. Westmount Charter School requires an individually administered intelligence test as part of the application process. Current admission criteria identify giftedness as a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and/or General Ability Index (GAI) at or above the 98th percentile.
A Gifted Assessment at Blue Spruce Psychology provides the cognitive testing and documentation needed for a Westmount application.
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The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) identifies giftedness using an individually administered intelligence test, with a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and/or General Ability Index (GAI) at or above the 98th percentile.
Meeting this criterion does not automatically result in GATE placement. GATE referrals are considered through your child’s CBE school based on their individual learning needs and whether specialized programming is appropriate.
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A Gifted Assessment can be completed in one day, including the intake meeting, cognitive testing, and feedback session. The written report is typically provided within 3 business days.
In Their Words
“Our daughter had the biggest smile for someone who does not often show her emotions…you have had quite an effect on her. Thank you for what you do and who you are.”
— Parent of a Grade 5 student
“Dear Kendra, I’m sending a little note to thank you for guiding me through my gifted assessment. I’m in a space with greater stability and appreciation for my neurodivergence. I have much gratitude for your part in the process and how the assessment was handled with grace.”
— Young Adult
