Why is reading so exhausting?
We look at reading, writing and math skills alongside how your child processes language and information, so you can see whether a learning difference is part of the picture.
Psychoeducational Assessments That Help You Understand Your Child
Sometimes families know something is getting in the way for their child, but not quite what it is. A psychoeducational assessment puts the pieces together: how your child thinks and learns, where they shine, where things get harder, and which supports will make a real difference at home and at school.
Our assessments in Calgary are warm, thorough and child-centred, completed by a Provisional Psychologist under the supervision of an experienced Registered Psychologist.
Questions an Assessment Can Help Answer
Every assessment plan is tailored to your child and the questions your family brings. It can explore cognitive abilities, academic skills, learning differences, attention and executive functioning, behaviour, emotional wellbeing and everyday adaptive skills.
Why does homework take three hours?
Attention, working memory and executive functioning shape how long schoolwork takes. The assessment shows which of these is costing your child the most time and energy.
Why can they explain it but not write it down?
A gap between what a child knows and what they can show on paper is common, and it can be measured. We look at written expression, processing speed and working memory to find where it breaks down.
Why does a bright child feel bad at school?
Some children have real strengths their schoolwork does not show. Seeing their full learning profile, including giftedness, helps everyone understand what they are capable of.
Why are organization and transitions so hard?
Planning, getting started, switching gears and keeping track of things all rely on executive functioning. We measure these skills and explain what support looks like at home and at school.
Why are big emotions so hard to manage?
Feelings and learning are closely connected. We look at emotional functioning, behaviour and everyday adaptive skills, with input from home and school, to understand the whole child.
Six steps · Clinically supervised
How the Assessment Works
A clear process from the first conversation to the support afterward. We explain each step before it happens, so your child and your family always know what to expect.
Step 1
A free discovery call
Tell us what you are noticing and what you hope to understand, and we’ll talk through whether an assessment is the right next step.
More about step 1
There is no obligation. If an assessment is not the best fit right now, we’ll say so and point you toward what might help instead.
Step 2
Getting to know your child
We gather background on your child’s development, learning and school experience from you and, where helpful, from their teachers.
More about step 2
This history shapes the assessment plan, so the testing answers your family’s questions instead of running through a standard checklist.
Step 3
A plan built around your questions
Tests are chosen for your child, not pulled from a one-size-fits-all battery.
More about step 3
Depending on your questions, the plan may include cognitive, academic, attention and executive functioning, emotional, behavioural and adaptive measures.
Step 4
Assessment sessions
Warm, paced sessions with breaks, where your child feels comfortable and involved, not just tested.
More about step 4
We explain what each activity is for and follow your child’s pace. Children do their best work when they feel understood, and the results are more accurate for it.
Step 5
Scoring, interpretation and review
Results are scored and interpreted carefully, then reviewed with the supervising Registered Psychologist.
More about step 5
Interpretation, any diagnostic considerations and the recommendations are all discussed in supervision before the report is finalized.
Step 6
Results, report and next steps
We walk you through the findings and give you a detailed written report with practical recommendations for home and school.
More about step 6
The report explains your child’s strengths as clearly as their challenges, and every recommendation is written to be usable in real life, not just filed away.
Why Families Choose Our Assessments
A good assessment should leave you with more than scores and labels. It should leave you with a clearer understanding of your child and a practical path forward.
Warm and Child-Centred
An assessment should not feel like a long day of being tested or a list of things a child cannot do. We want children and teens to feel comfortable, understood and genuinely involved, and to leave knowing it was about understanding their brain, not finding out what is “wrong” with them.
Thorough, With Added Clinical Oversight
Assessments are completed by Lacy Hunter, a Provisional Psychologist completing advanced training in psychological assessment, under the supervision of an experienced Registered Psychologist. Results, interpretation, diagnostic considerations and recommendations are reviewed together before anything is finalized. This is not a “training assessment.” It is a comprehensive psychological assessment with more than one clinician contributing to its quality and accuracy.
An Introductory Rate, Not a Shortened Assessment
We currently offer psychoeducational assessments at an introductory rate, as this part of our practice grows and to make thorough assessment more accessible to families. The lower fee does not mean a simpler process. You still receive individualized test selection, careful scoring and interpretation, clinical supervision, a detailed written report and practical recommendations.
More Than a Diagnosis
A diagnosis, when one fits, is only part of the answer. The most important part is understanding the story behind what your child has been experiencing, so you leave with a clearer picture of your child, meaningful recommendations and a practical path forward.
We Don’t Disappear After the Report
A report can be a lot of information at once, and the next question is often “Okay, now what?” You don’t have to figure that out alone. We stay available to explain the findings, think through next steps, choose which supports to start with and, when appropriate, help you share your child’s needs with their school.
Common Questions About Psychoeducational Assessments
What is a psychoeducational assessment?
A psychoeducational assessment is a detailed look at how a child thinks, learns and manages everyday demands. It combines standardized testing, interviews, questionnaires and observation to understand cognitive abilities, academic skills, attention, executive functioning and emotional wellbeing, then turns the results into a written report with recommendations for home and school.
How do I know if my child needs an assessment?
Families often reach out when a child is working hard but still falling behind, when reading or homework regularly ends in tears, or when a teacher has raised concerns about learning, attention or behaviour. If you keep wondering why something is so much harder for your child than it should be, an assessment can help answer that question.
Can an assessment identify ADHD or a learning disability?
Attention and learning are two of the most common questions families bring. When the results support it, the assessment can include diagnostic considerations such as ADHD or a specific learning disorder, and these are reviewed with the supervising Registered Psychologist before the report is finalized. Just as important, you will understand your child’s strengths and what support will help.
Who completes the assessment?
Assessments are completed by Lacy Hunter, Provisional Psychologist, who specializes in children, families and neurodivergence. Her assessment work is supervised by an experienced Registered Psychologist, who reviews results, interpretation and recommendations before every assessment is finalized.
How much does a psychoeducational assessment cost?
We currently offer an introductory rate for the same comprehensive process. Book a free discovery call and we will share the current fee and exactly what is included.
Is an assessment covered by insurance?
Many extended health plans include psychological services, but coverage varies from plan to plan, including for services provided by a Provisional Psychologist under supervision. Check with your provider before booking so you know what to expect.
Can you help us share the results with my child’s school?
Yes, when it is appropriate. You decide who sees the report. We can help you think through how to communicate your child’s needs to their school and which recommendations to start with.
Ready to Understand Your Child’s Story?
Tell us what you’re noticing and ask anything about the process. We’ll help you decide whether an assessment is the right next step for your child.
Book a Discovery Call