Psychoeducational Assessments Calgary
Maybe homework takes hours and ends in tears. Maybe the teacher has started using words like “IPP” or “accommodations” and you’re not entirely sure what that means for your child. Maybe your child is clearly bright, but their report card doesn’t show it, and nobody — not you, not the school — can quite explain the gap.
A psychoeducational assessment is how you get a real answer instead of another round of guessing. At Solasta, our registered psychologists assess children and teens aged 4 to 18 to figure out exactly what’s making school harder than it should be — whether that’s attention, reading, memory, anxiety, or something else — and put it in writing in a way your child’s school has to take seriously.
What is a Psychoeducational Assessment?
A psychoeducational assessment is a structured evaluation conducted by a registered psychologist. It goes well beyond what teachers or family doctors can observe — combining standardised testing, clinical interviews, parent input, and behavioural observation to build a detailed picture of how your child thinks, learns, and functions.
For many families, an assessment is the first time anyone has been able to clearly explain why their child is struggling — and what to do about it. Rather than describing a child simply as “behind” or “difficult,” a psychoeducational assessment identifies the specific cognitive and learning factors driving those challenges, which changes what support looks like entirely. It also captures strengths, not just difficulties — giving families and schools a much more complete and accurate picture of the child.
The result is a comprehensive written report that explains findings in plain language, identifies any diagnoses, and provides specific recommendations for school supports, accommodations, and interventions.
At Solasta Counselling in Calgary, psych ed assessments typically evaluate:
- Cognitive and intellectual abilities — reasoning, memory, processing speed, problem-solving
- Academic skills — reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics
- Attention and executive function — focus, organisation, impulse control, working memory
- Social-emotional functioning — anxiety, mood, and emotional factors affecting learning
- Behavioural factors — patterns at home and school that may indicate underlying concerns
The tools we use include gold-standard instruments such as the WISC-V (cognitive abilities), WIAT-4 (academic achievement), and Conners (attention and behaviour), alongside parent and teacher rating scales.
Understanding the Cost of a Psychoeducational Assessment
We know cost is a real factor in this decision, and we want to be upfront about it. Psychoeducational assessments at Solasta start from $2,950, reflecting the multi-session process, standardised testing, and the detailed written report involved — the same format your child’s school and any funding application will need. For full pricing details, visit our fees page. If you have questions about what’s included, or want to talk through your options before committing to anything, our free consultation call is a good place to start.
What to Expect From a Solasta Psychoeducational Assessment
Free consultation
A no-obligation conversation to understand your concerns, confirm the right assessment type, explain the process, and answer questions about cost and timeline.
Parent intake interview
Your psychologist will gather a detailed developmental, medical, and educational history before testing begins. School records and previous reports are reviewed where available.
Assessment sessions with your child
Typically two to three sessions of approximately two hours each, conducted at our NW Calgary office. Sessions are structured but relaxed — our psychologists are experienced at putting children at ease.
Teacher questionnaires
Where relevant, we gather input from your child’s school to ensure a complete picture.
Report writing
Typically completed within three to four weeks of your final session. The report is 20 to 30 pages and covers all findings, diagnoses where applicable, and detailed recommendations.
Feedback session
We meet with parents to walk through findings in plain language, explain what the results mean specifically for your child, and discuss next steps. You leave with a clear understanding of what was found and what to do with it.
Why Choose Solasta for Child Assessments in Calgary?
Solasta is a multi-disciplinary psychology practice with registered psychologists experienced in child and adolescent assessment. Our team conducts assessments for children aged 4 to 18 across the full range of psychoeducational concerns — from learning disabilities and ADHD to giftedness and autism.
We offer a child-friendly assessment environment, detailed written reports, and a thorough feedback session so families leave with a clear understanding of their child’s profile and a concrete plan for next steps. Most families can book a consultation within days.
Understanding the Assessment Process
From identifying the appropriate age range for assessments to understanding the time commitment, we provide a comprehensive, tailored approach to meet the unique needs of every child and adolescent.
Whether you’re wondering about the necessity of a diagnosis, the possibility of online assessments, or how best to prepare your child, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Below, we address some of the most common questions to help you feel confident and informed about the journey ahead.
What Age Groups Do We Assess?
We provide psycho-educational assessments for children and adolescents, typically between the ages of 4 and 18. Our approach is tailored to meet the developmental and individual needs of each age group, ensuring that the process is effective and supportive for children and teens alike.
How Long Does the Assessment Process Take?
The length of the assessment process depends on the type of evaluation needed but typically spans 3 to 6 weeks. This includes initial consultations, assessment sessions, thorough data analysis, and a feedback meeting to discuss results and recommendations.
Will Your Child Need a Diagnosis?
Not every child assessment results in a formal diagnosis. The primary aim of the assessment is to understand your child’s specific needs and challenges and provide tailored recommendations.
Whether or not a diagnosis is identified, the insights gained will guide effective interventions and support.
Can Assessments Be Conducted Online?
Certain aspects of the assessment process, such as parent consultations, can be done virtually for convenience.
However, most components, particularly standardized testing and observational sessions, are best conducted in-person to ensure the highest accuracy and reliability of results.
How to Prepare For Child Psychoeducational Assessment in Calgary
Preparing your child for an assessment involves open and positive communication. Explain the process in simple, reassuring terms, emphasizing that the goal is to understand and support them better.
Encourage them to view the experience as an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
Gifted Assessments in Calgary (Including Westmount Charter)
Not every assessment is about identifying a struggle — sometimes the question is the opposite. If your child seems to be coasting, under-challenged, or clearly capable of more than their current programming reflects, a gifted assessment answers that question directly, with the same rigour as any other psychoeducational evaluation.
We also conduct gifted assessments specifically for families applying to Westmount Charter School or similar gifted programming in Calgary, where a qualifying cognitive assessment is part of the application process.
Comprehensive Gifted Assessment — $1,100 or $660
- $1,100 if giftedness criteria are met and a full report is required for your application.
- $660 if giftedness criteria are not met and a full report is not required.
- Turnaround: 1–2 weeks from your final appointment — faster than our standard psychoeducational assessment, since this is a more targeted cognitive evaluation.
If giftedness is one of several things you want to understand about your child — alongside attention, learning, or behavioural patterns — our Comprehensive Assessment may be the better fit; it’s built for exactly that kind of full-picture question. The gifted-specific assessment above is for families where giftedness itself is the question being asked, not a side consideration.
Take the First Step
Our Calgary psychologists are dedicated to providing high-quality child assessments that empower families and foster positive change.
CAP
All of our psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
PAA
Many of our psychologists are members of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta.
CCPA
Many of our psychologists are members of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Therapists Specializing in Child Assessments
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Our Calgary Office Space
Our thoughtfully designed counselling spaces are crafted to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can feel completely at ease.
FAQs
How do I know if my child needs a psychological assessment?
A psychoeducational assessment is worth considering if your child is struggling at school and the reason isn’t clear — despite effort, support, and reasonable teaching. Common triggers include persistent difficulties with reading, writing, or math; suspected ADHD or learning disability; significant underperformance relative to apparent ability; school avoidance or anxiety; or teacher concerns that haven’t been resolved through classroom supports. If you’re unsure, our free consultation call is a good starting point.
What does a child psychological assessment involve?
The assessment involves multiple sessions with your child — typically two to three appointments of approximately two hours each — using standardised tools to evaluate cognitive abilities, academic skills, attention, and social-emotional functioning. A parent intake interview is conducted before testing, and teacher input is gathered where appropriate. The process concludes with a detailed written report and a feedback session with parents.
How long does a child psychological assessment take in Calgary?
From initial consultation to receiving your written report, most families allow four to six weeks in total. Assessment sessions are typically spread over two to three weeks, with report writing and scoring taking a further three to six weeks.
Do I need a referral for a psychological assessment?
No referral is required. You can contact Solasta directly to book a free consultation call. Many families self-refer based on their own observations or teacher concerns.
Will the report be accepted by my child's school?
Yes. Solasta assessment reports are accepted by the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District for the purposes of formal accommodations, IPP development, and modified programming. The report includes specific recommendations written in a format suitable for school use.
Can the assessment support funding applications?
Yes. For children diagnosed with ADHD, a learning disability, or autism, the assessment report supports applications for the Disability Tax Credit and FSCD (Family Support for Children with Disabilities) funding. We’re happy to explain this further on your free consultation call.
What does "IPP" mean, and do I need one before I contact you?
An IPP (Individualized Program Plan) is the document Alberta schools use to record a student’s specific learning needs and the supports the school will provide. You don’t need one before contacting us — in most cases, it’s the other way around: an assessment is usually what gives the school what it needs to build an IPP in the first place. If your child’s school has already mentioned an IPP, a formal assessment, or accommodations, we’re happy to explain exactly where that fits and what happens next.
Should I wait for an assessment through the school, or go private?
School-based psychoeducational assessments are free, but waitlists through the school system are often long — commonly a year or more — while your child continues to struggle in the meantime. A private assessment at Solasta typically means a written report within six to eight weeks of your first appointment. Many families choose to go private specifically to avoid that wait, though it’s a personal decision that depends on your situation and your child’s needs — we’re glad to talk it through on a free consultation call.
My child seems smart — could it still be a learning disability?
Yes, and this is one of the most common things we hear. A learning disability doesn’t mean a child isn’t intelligent — it means there’s a specific gap between their overall ability and their performance in a particular area, like reading or math. In fact, a bright child whose difficulties are being masked by their intelligence is often the exact profile who benefits most from an assessment, since the gap between potential and performance can otherwise go unexplained for years.
Do you offer gifted assessments in Calgary?
Yes. In addition to our standard psychoeducational assessments, we offer a dedicated gifted assessment for children whose primary question is giftedness rather than a learning or attention concern — including assessments specifically for families applying to Westmount Charter School or similar gifted programming. Turnaround is typically 1–2 weeks from your final appointment.
What does a Westmount Charter gifted assessment involve?
The process uses standardised cognitive testing to determine whether your child meets the giftedness criteria required for admission. If criteria are met and a full report is needed for your application, the assessment is $1,100; if criteria aren’t met and a report isn’t required, it’s $660. Visit our fees page for full details.