Alberta Psychological Assessments – Steps in a Comprehensive Psychological Assessment for Children and Adults

A proper psychological assessment is a comprehensive process and at our Alberta based Psychology practice we will only provide evidence based assessments. Other practices my appear cheaper, but they do not offer comprehensive assessment necessary for proper diagnosis and understanding along with recommendations; we excel in this area.

When you reach out to WJW Counselling and Mediation in St. Albert, Edmonton or Peace River Alberta, we will provide a brief consult to first determine the type of assessment you will need. We then can determine the cost and plan how to bill this to your medical plan or an alternate source such as Indigenous Affairs. Below are the steps that will occur in the assessment.

Interviews:
Next, there will be initial Interviews. The Psychologist will conduct a virtual or in-person clinical interview with the parents/guardians and/or the adult client. If you are an adult seeking an Autism assessment, it is helpful for a parent to be interviewed.
For children, the Psychologist assistant or student will conduct an interview with the client’s teacher(s).
Review of Medical Records:
There is often a review of Medical Records. The psychologist or assistant may review medical records and speak with your doctor.
Behavioral Assessment:
Cognitive Assessment:
The next step is a Cognitive Assessment. The individual being assessed will come into the office, and the Psychologist will administer a cognitive assessment to identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
Academic Assessement:
Followed by an Academic Assessment. The Psychologist might complete an academic assessment with the client, depending on the referral question, to evaluate their academic strengths and weaknesses.
Clinical Observation:
We also often include a Clinical Observation. The Psychologist might do a clinical observation of the client, if necessary, depending on the referral question.
Review of Education Records:
It is important that there is a Review of Educational Records. This is important to determine the impact of any diagnosis on functioning.
Classroom Observation:
With children we usually conduct a Classroom Observation. If this is for a child, the Psychologist assistant and/or student might observe the client in the classroom if possible.
Autism Assessment:
If there is a query of autism, the psychologist will add the administration of the ADOS-2 with the client in the office. If this is a child, it is a play-based assessment. In addition, you will complete a developmental questionnaire (ADI-R) yourself and with a parent.
Final Report:
After collecting the data, the psychologist will write an assessment report that shares any possible diagnosis, areas of strengths and difficulties, and provide recommendations.
Once this is all completed, the psychologist will virtually debrief the results of the report. You will also receive a copy of the report.
Sometimes the full assessment is not necessary. You may only seek a cognitive assessment, or for academic reasons or persons with disabilities who require updated cognitive testing. Otherwise, most assessments require the steps above, including for giftedness, ADHD, Autism, and Psychoeducational assessments.

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