Psychoeducational Assessment
What is a psychoeducational assessment?
A psychoeducational assessment is a thorough individual assessment that involves gathering developmental, family, school, social/emotional, personality/temperament, and health histories and administering and interpreting norm-referenced tests. A composite of this information is then used to help formulate a profile of an individual’s pattern of strengths, challenges, behaviours, and life circumstances so that specific suggestions and recommendations can be made to help the individual reach his/her full unique potentials. The entire psychoeducational assessment process generally takes 20 to 30 hours, depending on individual assessment needs. Drawing on the expertise of more than one clinician, Campbell & Fairweather Psychology Group generally uses a team approach in conducting such assessments.
What types of assessments are available?
Different types of psychoeducational assessments are available depending on the particular goal(s) of the assessment and related referral questions. Costs are similarly determined on this basis and vary as a function of the complexity of the assessment and the time required. The following section briefly describes the different types of psychoeducational assessments available.
Please Note: Prior to any assessment, all school reports, previous testing information and background developmental, medical, social/emotional, and school information/histories are asked to be provided to the examiner.
1. Core Psychoeducational Assessment
Ideal for re-assessment of students that completed a psycho-educational or psycho-diagnostic assessment within the past five years.
A Core assessment includes:
Intake meeting to discuss concerns and plan the assessment
Cognitive/Intelligence Test
Achievement Test
Clinical interviews with student, parents & teacher
Review of past assessments & school & medical records
Report & feedback meeting
Example Referral Question: My teen was diagnosed with a learning disability when they were little. We need an updated assessment as they head off to college.
2. Core Plus Psychoeducational Assessment
Ideal for students who require in-depth assessment in one area of functioning (e.g., attention/ADHD, memory, phonological skills, or mental health).
A Core Plus assessment includes:
Intake meeting to discuss concerns and plan the assessment
Cognitive/Intelligence Test
Achievement Test
Clinical interviews with student, parents & teacher
Review of past assessments & school & medical records
Report & feedback meeting
In-depth testing in one of the following: memory, social-emotional-behavioural functioning, attention, adaptive functioning, executive functioning, phonological skills, motor skills
Example Referral Question: Does my child have dyslexia?
3. Comprehensive Psychoeducational Assessment
Ideal for students with a complex set of referral questions & needs.
A Comprehensive assessment includes:
Intake meeting to discuss concerns and plan the assessment
Cognitive/Intelligence Test
Achievement Test
Clinical interviews with student, parents & teacher
Review of past assessments & school & medical records
Report & feedback meeting
In-depth testing in two or more of the following: memory, social-emotional-behavioural functioning, attention, adaptive functioning, executive functioning, phonological skills, motor skills
Example Referral Question: My child is complex. What is impacting their behavior and wellbeing? Is it trauma, mental health, or a neurodevelopmental difference?
**Please refer to VICAN multidisciplinary team for suspected FASD.
4. Autism Assessment (Preschool Age, 5 and under)
A Preschool Autism assessment includes:
Intake meeting to discuss concerns and plan the assessment
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), a play-based assessment
Cognitive/Intelligence Test, where possible
Clinical interviews with parents (including Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised)
Rating scales to evaluate social perception, communication skills, motor skills, social-emotional skills & adaptive functioning
Review of past assessments & school & medical records
Report & feedback meeting
Example Referral Question: Does my pre-school child have autism or another neurodevelopmental disorder?
**Requires pediatrician referral/approval & speech-language evaluation (occupational therapy optional)
5. Autism Assessment (School Age, 6 and older)
A School-Age Autism assessment includes:
Intake meeting to discuss concerns and plan the assessment
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), a play-based assessment
Cognitive/Intelligence Test
Achievement Test
Clinical interviews with parents (including Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised)
Rating scales & direct assessments to evaluate social perception, communication skills, motor skills, social-emotional skills, adaptive functioning, & executive functioning
Review of past assessments & school & medical records
Report & feedback meeting
Example Referral Question: Does my school-age child have autism or another neurodevelopmental disorder?
Costs and Funding:
The cost for a psychoeducational assessment varies as a function of the type of assessment (as outlined above) required. A brief telephone conversation (or meeting) with one of our clinicians can usually determine what type of assessment is required and what the cost will be.
The next question everyone asks, of course, is whether there are personal tax credit programs and benefits available for individuals with disabilities that can help incur assessment costs. Many people with personal health insurance have extended coverage which may cover a portion of psychological testing for individual family members. It is advisable for clients to review the details of their coverage to see whether their plan includes coverage for such assessments. If so, it is the client’s or parents/caregivers’ responsibility to submit their claims directly to their insurance providers after full payment has been made to Campbell and Fairweather Psychology Group.
In addition, it is recommended that families investigate the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) of the Income Tax Form under line 330 of Schedule1.S.118.2 (2) and Regulation 5700 in the Income Tax Act and explore how they may qualify if they or one of their children has a learning disability. The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada has worked closely with Finance Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency over the past several years with the aim of ensuring that individuals with learning disabilities are fairly treated under the Income Tax Act. For example, the cost of a psychological assessment, tutoring services, talking textbooks, and costs for transportation to and from assessment, therapy, and tutoring sessions, fees for specialized camps (summer/winter) and specialized private school, and note taking services may be eligible expenses for persons with learning disabilities under the Medical Expense Tax Credit program. Since tax laws are complex, it is recommended that families also consult with a tax advisor.
What can one expect from an assessment?
We recognize that managing and coping with complex learning difficulties can often leave individuals and their families feeling isolated and confused. The goal of a psychoeducational assessment is to help individuals and/or families feel more empowered to make immediate changes in their school (or work) environment. Armed with concrete tools to work with identified strengths and challenges, clients are able to leave our office with a sense of hope and relief about future possibilities for themselves or their children.