Psychological Assessments
Assessments
YEG Psychology offers a range of psychological assessments for children and adults in Edmonton. Are you worried that you or your child may have learning difficulties, attention problems, or behavioural and emotional concerns? Are you interested in finding out your IQ? Do you need documentation for academic support, strategies, and interventions at the school or post secondary level? Are you looking to determine if you have a psychological diagnosis which may qualify you for funding and services? If you answered yes to any of the following questions an assessment may be appropriate for you.
Research has demonstrated that when an individual is properly diagnosed and aware of their learning and personality profiles that they can develop strategies to help them be successful in school, work, relationships, and in their overall lives.
The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.
~ Ralph Nichols
Signs that an Assessment May be Right for You
Are you wondering if an assessment is right for you or your child? Individuals seek assessments for a variety of reasons such as:
- You (or your child) are struggling in school and uncertain as to why
- You (or your child) are having difficulty with focus or concentration
- You (or your child) appear to be advanced, bored, or not challenged in school
- You (or your child) have behavioural or emotional difficulties impacting performance at work or school
- You (or your child) would benefit from strategies to support your learning
- You (or your child) are seeking a psychological diagnosis in order to qualify for funding or certain services
How an Assessment Can Help
Assessments can help an individual in a variety of ways. Some benefits that may result from an assessment include:
- Identification of academic strengths and weaknesses
- A diagnosis that may lead to appropriate funding or resources
- An IQ result that may qualify a child for special programming (gifted programming, learning resource centers, pull-out programs)
- Provide information to relevant stakeholders regarding appropriate treatment
What Can I Expect From an Assessment?
All assessments begin with reviewing informed consent; which includes discussing the referral question, explaining the assessment procedures, discussing confidentiality, and answering any questions that may arise.
The assessment will often start with an interview whereby a series of questions, based on the referral, will be asked to either you or your child (depending on the type of assessment). Next, standardized assessment tools will be used in order to provide information regarding the referral questions. The assessment tools may include cognitive and achievement tests, adaptive measures, personality inventories, checklists, or other instruments used to gather relevant information. Information is also gathered through review of academic records, parent and teacher rating scales, and behavioural observations when appropriate.
Each assessment report will vary depending on the referral issues and assessment measures used. However, each assessment report will typically include:
- The purpose of the assessment
- A summary of relevant background information
- A list of measures used in the assessment
- The results of the assessment
- Conclusions
- A diagnosis (if relevant)
- Recommendations
The assessment is considered complete after the results of the assessment are debriefed in-person and a copy of the report is provided. Any questions regarding the assessment results may be discussed with the psychologist at any time.
How does Confidentiality Work in Assessment?
Anything that is collected during the assessment has the potential to be included in the assessment report. The psychologist will discuss this further with you prior to commencing the assessment, as well as review limits to confidentiality.
The results of the assessment will be included in the assessment report and a copy will be provided to you at the end of the assessment. Any additional copies that you would like sent to other providers would require you to sign written consent for release.
What is the Length of an Assessment?
Assessments can vary in length with length being dependent upon a variety of factors, including the purpose of the assessment. Typically, most assessments take approximately 3-5 hours of face-to-face time. This time would include reviewing consent, administering testing instruments, performing the assessment, and debriefing the assessment report. The psychologist will also contact relevant persons (such as teachers), score the assessment, and write the report as part of the assessment experience, which is in addition to the face-to-face time. A copy of the assessment report will be provided within 30 days of the assessment.
What is the Cost of an Assessment?
The cost of an assessment varies depending on the type of assessment, referral question, psychometric assessments used, and length of the assessment. However, on average assessments vary from $1500 to $2000. Clients will be issued a receipt that they can submit to their private insurance for reimbursement.