Calgary Psychoeducational Assessment for Children and Teens

A psychoeducational assessment explores how your child thinks and learns, including reasoning, memory, processing speed, and academic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Attention, executive functioning, and emotional factors that may affect learning are also considered (e.g., Anxiety, ADHD). Together, the findings help identify strengths, clarify learning needs, and determine whether a learning disorder or another concern is contributing to difficulties.

Results can identify strengths, clarify learning difficulties, and help determine whether a learning disorder, ADHD, or another factor may be contributing to challenges at school.

Strong thinking skills do not make every part of learning easy. A child may understand complex ideas while finding reading, spelling, writing, or mathematics difficult. Learning disabilities can occur across a range of intellectual abilities. An assessment helps explain these differences so that support can address the difficulty while continuing to nurture your child’s strengths.

A Psychoeducational Assessment looks at the pattern between a child's strengths and challenges to understand why they may be struggling and what supports can help.

Yes. A psychoeducational assessment can help determine whether your child meets criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder in reading, including the pattern commonly called dyslexia. Difficulties may involve sounding out words, reading accurately and fluently, or spelling.

This assessment considers reading skills alongside learning history and previous support to guide recommendations for instruction at home and school, as well as accommodations in the classroom.

An ADHD assessment focuses on intellect, attention, executive functioning, and whether ADHD explains difficulties across daily settings.

A psychoeducational assessment does the same, but also examines academic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.

If learning difficulties in reading, writing, or math are part of your concern, or it isn't yet clear what's getting in the way, a psychoeducational assessment provides a more comprehensive picture.

Yes. Twice-exceptional (2e) describes children who are gifted and also have a learning disability or another condition, such as ADHD or autism. Their strengths may make difficulties less obvious, while their challenges can sometimes hide advanced abilities.

A psychoeducational assessment can help identify giftedness alongside learning and attention needs, guiding recommendations that offer appropriate challenge and support.

If autism is also a concern, we can discuss whether additional assessment is needed to explore that question.

It may be helpful when reading, writing, or mathematics remain difficult despite support, or when your child’s progress does not seem to reflect their effort. You may notice persistent trouble remembering learned skills, completing schoolwork, or keeping up with classroom expectations.

You don’t need to know the cause before asking questions; a free consultation can help clarify whether assessment is an appropriate next step.

Yes. A report completed by a Registered Psychologist can be shared with your child’s school to inform educational planning, classroom accommodations, and an Individualized Program Plan (IPP) when appropriate.

Recommendations are tailored to your child’s learning profile. The school determines eligibility for its programs and how supports will be implemented.

At Blue Spruce Psychology, most psychoeducational assessments are completed over two to four weeks, depending on scheduling and individual needs. The process includes a parent intake meeting, six hours of testing across three appointments, and a parent feedback meeting.

Your written report is provided within two weeks of the feedback meeting. We’ll review the anticipated timeline before beginning.

Explain that they’ll meet with a psychologist to learn more about how they think and learn. There is no studying required and no pass-or-fail result. Activities may include puzzles, questions, reading, writing, and problem-solving. Tasks are either conversational or involve hands-on materials like blocks, pencil-and-paper, or a tablet. We also take creativity breaks, play games, and have snacks along the way.

If your child is feeling nervous, you’re welcome to share their worries with me beforehand. Most children enjoy themselves and leave with confidence.

Parents and caregivers can contact Blue Spruce Psychology directly; a referral from a physician or school is not required to book.

Some insurance plans require a physician’s referral for reimbursement, however, so please confirm your plan’s requirements before services begin.

At Blue Spruce Psychology, a psychoeducational assessment costs $2,880, including testing, scoring and interpretation, feedback, and an individualized written report.

Payment is made throughout the assessment and can sometimes be spread across family members. Many extended health plans cover some psychological assessment expenses, and direct billing is available for many insurers. Check your assessment coverage, remaining benefits, and any daily limits before booking.