Post-Secondary Psychoeducational Assessments in Calgary
Assessment and documentation for university and college
If reading takes much longer than you expected, exams feel like a race against the clock, or keeping track of coursework is taking more effort every term, you may be wondering what would help. You might also have an older assessment and a request from your school for updated documentation.
At Blue Spruce Psychology in Quarry Park, southeast Calgary, I work with students preparing for or attending university, college, or a polytechnic. Whether you need a first psychoeducational assessment, updated testing, or help with paperwork, we can start with what’s getting in the way and what your school or funding program is asking for.
Registered Psychologist · Quarry Park, SE Calgary · (403) 431-7723 · Direct Billing Available
WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE?
How Blue Spruce Can Help
Whether you’re seeking answers for the first time, need assessment documentation for school, or already have a diagnosis and need support with paperwork, start with the path that fits where you are.
I’m Looking for a First Assessment
You’ve been putting extra time into reading, writing, math, or studying and want to understand why. A psychoeducational assessment can explore how you learn and whether a learning disability or ADHD may be contributing to the difficulties you’re experiencing.
I Need to Update an Older Assessment
You were assessed in elementary or high school, and your university or college has asked for more information. We can review your previous report alongside the new requirements and see what, if anything, needs updating.
I Already Have a Diagnosis or Report
Your accessibility office or funding program is asking for a form, a letter, or more detail about how your diagnosis affects your studies. A documentation appointment can help clarify what your existing records cover and what else may be needed.
Not sure which applies to you? That’s okay. Let’s start with a conversation.
When Coursework Takes More Effort Than You Expected
Post-secondary courses often mean more independent reading, longer assignments, and several deadlines landing in the same week. You might understand the material in lectures and still have trouble showing what you know on a timed exam. Strategies that helped in high school may also be harder to use when you’re managing your own schedule.
You reread the same pages and still have trouble pulling out the main ideas.
You can explain your ideas out loud, but organizing them into a paper takes hours.
You understand the math in class, then lose track of steps when working on your own.
You know the material but consistently run out of time on exams.
You have trouble getting started or keeping track of assignments across several courses.
An assessment can help you understand where the extra effort is going and identify supports that fit the way you learn.
When You Need Documentation for Academic Accommodations
Your university or college may ask for documentation that explains how a disability affects your coursework or exams. When appropriate, an assessment report can describe the barriers you experience and recommend supports tied to those barriers, such as extra time on exams, a lower-distraction testing space, or assistive technology.
Your school’s accessibility office decides which accommodations it can provide. If you’re also applying for disability-related student funding, ask which documents the funding application requires. Your accessibility advisor can help you work out what you’ll need for each process.
Sometimes, You Just Need Help With the Paperwork
If you already have a diagnosis or assessment report, a documentation appointment is a good place to start. Bring your report, any forms or written instructions you’ve received, and the date your documentation is due.
In some cases, a one-hour appointment is enough to review your records and complete a form or prepare a supporting letter. If your records leave questions open, I’ll explain what additional information or testing may be needed.
Documentation Support May Include:
Reviewing previous assessment or diagnostic reports
Completing accommodation or accessibility forms
Providing supporting letters, when appropriate
Supporting applications for disability-related grants or funding
Reviewing documentation requirements for standardized, entrance, licensing, or professional examinations
Helping determine whether updated testing is actually necessary
If you’re looking for help with Form T2201, see the page Disability Tax Credit application support. I offer this service after an assessment we’ve completed together or if you have a recent assessment but need the form completed.
If you’re new to the practice, a free consultation can help you determine whether an assessment is the right next step.
An Assessment Built Around Your Studies
There is no “one-size-fits-all” assessment for an adult. The assessment process is tailored to the questions you’re trying to answer, your history, and any specific documentation requirements you may have.
Depending on your needs, an assessment can explore:
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A psychoeducational assessment looks at how you think and learn, including skills such as reading, writing, and math. We’ll talk about how those skills show up in your coursework and what has helped you in the past.
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If you’re wondering about ADHD alongside a possible learning disability, ADHD assessment can be included within the psychoeducational assessment. We can explore patterns like difficulty managing deadlines, staying focused while reading, or getting started on assignments.
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If you’re also wondering whether you might be autistic, autism assessment involves additional evaluation and fees. We can discuss how to plan both services if you need them. If your main question is about autism, you can explore Adult Autism Assessment.
Because adult assessment and post-secondary documentation needs vary, the total cost depends on the scope of service required. Services are billed at $240/hour. You’ll know what is recommended, and the expected cost, before deciding how to proceed.
More Than An Assessment Report
The most useful assessment is one that helps you understand yourself differently and gives you something practical to do with that information.
What you can gain from the process:
Answers to Long-Standing Questions
Put context around patterns you may have noticed for years and better understand why certain things have felt harder or simply different than expected.
Practical Strategies That Fit
Recommendations tailored to how you learn and work, with practical ways to support attention, organization, studying, time management, and everyday demands.
Your Unique Profile
See how your cognitive, academic, attention, executive functioning, and emotions fit together and paint a picture of your experiences and who you are.
Academic Support for School
Documentation and recommendations to support accommodations, accessibility services, grants, or other academic requirements when appropriate.
DETAILS AND STEPS
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about adult assessment, post-secondary accommodations, documentation, and related supports.
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Your school may be able to use an existing report. Ask its accessibility office whether your report meets its requirements. If the office needs more information, we can review its request and see whether updated documentation or targeted testing would be enough.
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Yes. When you have questions about both learning and attention, ADHD assessment can be included in your psychoeducational assessment. If you’re primarily looking for a standalone ADHD evaluation, see Adult ADHD Assessment.
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I can review the clinical documentation you’ve been asked to provide and complete relevant clinical forms when your records support them. Your school completes its section of Schedule 4. For a learning disability, Alberta Student Aid requires an eligible assessment report. See Alberta Student Aid’s documentation requirements.
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Let me know the date when you reach out so we can discuss what’s realistic. You can also contact your accessibility office to ask what steps you can take while your documentation is being reviewed or updated.
ALBERTA STUDENT AID & EXTENDED HEALTH CARE BENEFITS
Funding Your Assessment
Alberta Student Aid. Eligible students may be able to get reimbursed for assessment or documentation costs used to verify a disability. You pay for the assessment before receiving any reimbursement. Alberta Student Aid determines eligibility and reimbursement. Check the timing and documentation rules with your school’s accessibility advisor before booking. Review Alberta Student Aid’s funding guide.
Extended health benefits. If you have a student or family benefits plan, ask whether it covers psychological assessment and how much is available. Direct billing is available for many plans. See Fees & Insurance.
START WITH YOUR CAMPUS ACCESSIBILITY OFFICE
What to Ask Your School Before You Book
If you’re unsure where to begin, ask your accessibility office what it needs for the support you’re seeking, whether it can use any records you already have, and when your documents are due. If there’s a form or checklist, bring it to your consultation.
University of Calgary Student Accessibility Services · Mount Royal University Access and Inclusion Services · SAIT Accessibility Services
Let’s Work Together
Tell me a little about what you’re finding difficult, what your school has asked for, or what you’re hoping to understand. If you have an older assessment or a deadline coming up, let me know. We’ll talk through the next step together.