An assessment can help explain why certain parts of learning or daily life take more effort than expected. You may be noticing persistent school difficulties, challenges with attention and organization, or a gap between someone's abilities and what they can consistently demonstrate.

At Blue Spruce Psychology in Calgary, assessment brings together strengths, experiences, and support needs to offer a clearer understanding of the whole person. The findings guide practical recommendations for home, school, or work, helping you make informed decisions about what comes next.

The best starting point is the question you want answered. A psychoeducational assessment explores learning difficulties, including reading, writing, and mathematics.

An ADHD assessment examines attention, executive functioning, and the factors affecting everyday follow-through.

An autism assessment explores social communication, sensory experiences, developmental history, and patterns of behaviour and interests.

A gifted assessment helps clarify advanced thinking abilities and inform educational planning.

You do not need to choose on your own. A free consultation can help determine which assessment best fits your concerns.

No. You can contact Blue Spruce Psychology directly to arrange an assessment for yourself or your child. Services are available for children as young as four, teens, post-secondary students, and adults; the appropriate assessment depends on age and the questions being explored.

If you plan to use extended health benefits, check whether your insurer requires a physician's referral for reimbursement. This is separate from the practice's booking requirements. To get started, book a free consultation or send an inquiry.

The process begins with an intake meeting to discuss your questions, relevant history, and the difficulties you are noticing. Testing is then tailored to the areas that need exploring. Depending on the assessment, this may include one-to-one activities, questionnaires, a review of previous records, and information from parents, teachers, or another person who knows you well.

Appointments allow for breaks and flexibility. At the feedback meeting, we review the findings in clear language, discuss recommendations, and leave time for your questions. You will also receive written documentation explaining the results and suggested next steps.

Most assessments take place across several appointments. Gifted assessments typically involve one two-hour testing visit, ADHD assessments involve two testing visits totalling four hours, and psychoeducational assessments involve three testing visits totalling six hours. Intake and feedback meetings are scheduled separately. Autism assessment arrangements depend on the individual's needs.

Most written reports are ready within two weeks after the feedback meeting. Gifted assessment reports are typically ready within three business days after feedback.

If you have a school application or accommodation deadline, mention it when you first get in touch so we can discuss timing.

Yes. An assessment can document learning and functional needs and recommend accommodations that help a person demonstrate their abilities more consistently. For children and teens, findings can inform classroom strategies, Individualized Program Plans (IPPs), and educational planning.

For adults and post-secondary students, documentation may support requests for academic or workplace accommodations. Requirements vary, and the school, institution, or employer determines which accommodations are approved and implemented.

If you already have a diagnosis or report, support may include reviewing existing documentation to determine whether an update is needed. Visit the post-secondary services page to learn more.

Fees depend on the type and scope of assessment. Current fees are $2,880 for a psychoeducational assessment, $1,440 - 2,160 for an ADHD assessment, $960 for a gifted assessment, and $1,680 - $3,600 for an autism assessment.

These fees account for the professional work involved beyond testing appointments, including intake meeting, session preparation, scoring, interpretation, feedback, and written documentation. Payment is spread throughout the assessment rather than collected all at once.

The anticipated scope and cost are reviewed before services begin. Visit Fees & Insurance for current pricing and payment information.

Many extended health plans cover some or all of the cost of services provided by a Registered Psychologist. Blue Spruce Psychology offers direct billing to many insurers, including Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Desjardins, GreenShield, Industrial Alliance, and Sun Life.

Coverage and direct billing eligibility depend on your specific plan. Before booking, ask your insurer about psychological assessment coverage, annual and per-visit limits, referral requirements, and any restrictions on assessment-related services.

Detailed receipts are available for reimbursement when needed. Any amount your plan does not cover remains your responsibility. Further details are available on the Fees & Insurance page.

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a federal, non-refundable tax credit that can reduce income tax for an eligible person or, in some circumstances, a supporting family member. Children and adults may qualify. A diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility: the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers how severely and persistently an impairment affects everyday functioning.

For applications involving mental functions, relevant areas include adaptive functioning, attention, concentration, memory, judgment, goal-setting, problem-solving, comprehension, and regulation of behaviour and emotions.

Under the marked-restriction criteria for mental functions, a person must be unable to perform the relevant functions, or generally take at least three times longer than someone of a similar age without the impairment, even with appropriate treatment, medication, and devices. The restriction must be present all or almost all of the time (generally at least 90%) and last, or be expected to last, for at least 12 continuous months.

CRA also has a separate pathway for the cumulative effect of significant limitations across two or more eligible categories. CRA makes the final eligibility decision. See the official DTC eligibility guidance or continue reading the the DTC here.

Yes. I offer Disability Tax Credit application support as a follow-up for clients I’ve assessed. If you’re new to Blue Spruce Psychology, start with a free consultation.

Blue Spruce’s Disability Tax Credit page explains eligibility, what application support involves, and who may qualify for help with form costs.