Psychoeducational Assessments

A psychoeducational assessment is intended to explore the learning profile of a student. A psychoeducational assessment may include assessment of cognition, language development, social-emotional development, behavioral patterns, motor development, and academic achievement (i.e. school-type performance). 

The outcomes of a psychoeducational assessment can be used to diagnose learning exceptionalities (also known as Learning Disabilities by some), attentional challenges (such as ADHD), and cognitive exceptionalities (intellectual disabilities). A psychoeducational assessment can also be part of determining whether or not a student may benefit from being identified in the school setting as a “gifted” learner.

We are pleased to offer our holistic approach to psychoeducational testing to children and students who are preschool aged, in grade school, or engaged in post-secondary study. 

A psychoeducational assessment is not a mental health assessment. While our clinicians often screen for potential mental health issues as contributors to learning or other challenges in the classroom and beyond, the diagnosis of things such as anxiety and depression necessarily involves an assessment focused entirely on those challenges, completed by a Registered Psychologist. This is a service available through our registered psychologists and can be discussed with one of them by booking an intake/consultation appointment.

A psychoeducational assessment is not an autism assessment. Autism assessments are an entirely different kind of assessment and must be completed by somebody approved for that type of service provision in the province of British Columbia. We do not offer this service at The Wishing Star.

A psychoeducational assessment is not a developmental assessment. A developmental assessment is typically completed in a medical setting by a multidisciplinary team.

1. The Intake appointment – Virtual (online) appointment

(this appointment is bookable via our online booking system)

This will be for up to an hour and is for parents only. Your child will not be part of the intake appointment. This appointment will be used to discuss the reason for the referral, the goals of the assessment, a full developmental history, and presenting challenges in the classroom. Our intake appointments are conducted online. 

2. Three assessment appointments – each 2 hours in length.

(these appointments will be booked by our administrative team who will reach out to you after you have successfully booked your online intake appointment)

Your child will attend three separate assessment appointments each 2 hours in length. Our team works to have these occur within a two week period, although sometimes it is a little more spread-out.

3. The debrief appointment – Virtual (online) appointment

(this appointment will be booked by our administrative team)

This will be for up to an hour and is for parents only. Your child will not be part of the debrief appointment. This appointment will involve a complete review of all assessment outcomes and any corresponding diagnosis and/or recommended designations within the school system. A general overview of some recommended supports will be reviewed if applicable. You will receive a copy of the visual material covered during the debrief appointment. 

For the adult student, the debrief session would be available for the student and any of his/her/their identified supports (parents, friends, involved professionals).

4. The final report

The final report will be provide to you approximately 10 weeks following the date of your child’s debrief appointment. This is an approximate time frame as sometimes it takes a little longer to make sure everything is perfectly compiled. 

Many parents wonder what to tell their child about the assessment. We encourage an honest response that includes discussion of the purpose of the assessment, which is to make sure that all of the big people (parents, caregivers, educators, other professionals) are doing their jobs in the best way possible for learning to be fair for the student.

Tips:

1. Make it normal – like a checkup that many students go for;

2. Give them a concrete expectation – You can stay in the assessment appointments with your child if they would refer that or for however long they love. Let them know they will do some brainy kinds of activities, and some other things that will feel more like schoolwork. Some of it will be very easy and other parts will feel hard, but never too hard that it becomes too much;

3. Bridge the connection – link your child’s assessment clinician to familiar people, such as preferred teachers (e.g. Did you know Dr. Vanessa knows your teacher Mr. Brown?), or maybe a shared interest with your child (did you know Dr. Vanessa also LOVES baseball just like you?)

*These sessions are student-lead in terms of work-load, frequency and length of breaks, etc. It is important to us that the student is functioning at their best during these sessions and we work hard to be very encouraging and to keep things comfortable for the student, including giving the student’s brain the rest required be attentive and engaged.

Please make the following documents available to the clinic (which you can do via our client portal) prior to your intake appointment:

1. Background Information Questionnaire (we will send to you): this is a questionnaire that allows us a complete history and understanding of your child. It will require some time to complete.*We are unable to prepare the final report without this completed document. 

2. Teacher Checklist (we will send to you): Please make sure the teacher who knows your child best completes this form. 

3. Past report cards – last report for each grade and most recent report for current grade. 

4. Any previous assessments or other relevant reports

Please Note: Our office is not able to make photocopies or provide scanning services on site of your original documents.

What other documents might I be asked to complete prior to the debrief appointment?

Your clinician may decide to collect additional information from you via rating scale questionnaires that are sent directly to you from the corresponding assessment company. Your clinician will discuss this with you if they decide to pursue this, and our office will provide additional instructions if/when the time comes.

If you are looking for something to pass the time during your child’s assessment session, we are close in proximity to the following:
 
The Indigo Café (right around the corner in our building)
Shops at Morgan Crossing (5 minutes)
Grandview Corners Shopping Centre (5 minutes)
Starbucks (5 minutes)
White Rock Beach (10 minutes)
Crescent Beach (10 minutes)
 
We are happy to provide you with directions if you are new to the area. Just ask! Of course you are welcome to make yourself comfortable in our waiting room. We do have wifi available to parents who wish to make use of that.

The total cost for the assessment is $3688, which will be paid as follows, and includes allocation of a required $500 deposit (which you will be prompted to pay upon booking your intake via our online booking system): 

 First appointment receipt: 
• Parent intake session of 1 hour; 1 hour of psychological support time
• 2 hours @ $276/hour = $552

 Second appointment receipt: 

• Assessment session 2 hours; 1 hour of psychological support time
• 3 hours @ $276/hour = $828 

Third appointment receipt: 

• Assessment session 2 hours; 1 hour of psychological support time 
• 3 hours @ $276/hour = $828  

Fourth appointment receipt: 

• Assessment session 2 hours; 1 hour of psychological support time 
• 3 hours @ $276/hour = $828  

Fifth appointment receipt: 

• Parent debrief session of 1 hour; 1 hour of psychological support time
• 2 hours @ $276/hour = $552
• Add “library fee” for cost of materials $100 

Invoice Total: $652 

TOTAL: $3688