Educational
Assessment
Services

What is the purpose of an assessment?

A formal assessment can be helpful or necessary for a variety of reasons. The purpose of conducting formal assessments is to identify learning difficulties, cognitive impairments, attentional issues, and other factors that may impact an individual's educational or vocational pursuits. Psychoeducational assessments are commonly completed with children and adolescents; however, adults may consider having an assessment if they are experiencing challenges with meeting the demands of postsecondary education or in the workplace.

Reasons parents commonly have for choosing to have a formal assessment conducted for their child:

  • Identify learning needs or learning disabilities

  • Determine intellectual functioning

  • Identify underlying behavioural diagnoses 

  • Assist with educational program planning and inform instructional support plans at school

  • Target areas of learning requiring growth; use individual strengths to succeed at school

Reasons for choosing a formal assessment as an adult:

  • To evaluate cognitive functioning 

  • Identify suspected learning disabilities persisting from childhood

  • Identify underlying issues causing difficulties in career and/or academic functioning

  • Update an assessment conducted during childhood

Who should be assessed?

  • Individuals struggling with academic material or meeting demands in the workplace

  • Students who are bored at school; suspected gifted profile

  • Students who appear to have extreme strengths and weaknesses or gaps in learning 

  • Children exhibiting atypical or challenging behaviour at home and school

  • Children who appear anxious, withdrawn or struggling socially

If any of the above describe you or your child, please contact us to book an assessment.

What does the assessment process look like?

  • An initial 1-hour meeting with a psychologist to identify which assessments are appropriate and gather background information

  • The psychologist will conduct assessments appropriate for your situation. These may include cognitive, academic, and behavioural assessments and tests that assess visual and auditory attention. These assessments are comprehensive and it may take multiple sessions to complete them.

  • The psychologist scores all assessments, reviews collateral information (e.g. report cards, feedback from teacher, previous assessments), and generates a report.

  • Final meeting to discuss assessment results.

What is the cost of an assessment?

The total cost of an assessment is dependent upon the type of assessment tool used and the number of tools required. Your assessing psychologist will be able to provide a close estimate of cost prior to conducting the assessment. Below are estimated costs for commonly used assessments: 

  • Intellectual assessment – estimate $1,430

    • WISC V (ages 6 - 16 years)

    • WAIS-IV (ages 16-90 years)

    • SB-5 (ages 2-85 years)

  • Academic assessment - estimate $1,430:

    • WIAT-III (ages 4-50 years)

  • Behavioural assessment - estimate $880

    • BASC 3 (ages 2 - 18 years)

  • Psycho-educational assessment – range of $2,750 - $3,300

    • Comprehensive assessments conducted by a psychologist

    • Typically includes tests that assess visual and auditory attention (CPT-3 & CATA)

Psychological assessment may be covered in whole or in part by your employee health benefits plan or through other health insurance/extended health care coverage.

  • Payment is taken after each assessment appointment.

  • You will receive a receipt, which you can submit for reimbursement from your health insurance/benefits provider.

  • Fees for psychological services can be claimed under tax deductible health services on your income tax return.

How do I book an assessment?

Kenda Cruikshank and Jenn Bond are trained in assessments and are ready to work with you!

If you have any questions about our assessment services, or if you would like to book an assessment for your child, please contact us or call our office at 780-860-7338.