Psychoeducational Assessment in Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam

I provide psychoeducational assessments in my Burnaby offices for children, adolescents and adults. Psychoeducational testing is usually undergone where there is some question as to why a student might be struggling in the school setting. Adults often need a psychoeducational assessment for accommodations in college or university. Psychoeducational testing includes assessing several different skills and abilities, including: 

  • Intelligence

  • Memory

  • Attention, Focus and Concentration

  • Planning and related Executive Skills

  • Listening Comprehension

  • Reading Comprehension and Fluency

  • Learning

  • Writing

  • Behaviour

  • Emotional Status

Parents, doctors or schools request a psychoeducational assessment when there are problems with academics, possible learning disabilities or behavioural, emotional problems. The assessment helps us determine the nature, extent and cause of these problems. What makes up a comprehensive assessment can vary from case to case, however there is  a basic core set of tests we use that include tests of intelligence, academic achievement, mental health, behaviour and several areas of general cognition.  In addition to addressing school related issues, a psychoeducational assessment is often part of a comprehensive autism assessment and is used to reach a diagnosis of autism, Asperger's Disorder or other related problems.

After being completed the psychoeducational assessment is used as part of the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) process, and the results are used by the school system to determine "coding," that is, what possible special education category a child falls under, funding they may qualify for, or specialized and individualized services such as the availability of teacher aides and other classroom accommodations. Sometimes adults need a psychoeducational assessment to help them perform better in the in college or the workplace.

What is the process for obtaining a psychoeducational assessment?

A psychoeducational assessment usually takes three to four sessions. This includes an initial meeting to go over your situation, history and to help me understand what you would like to get out of the assessment. Two sessions of testing, usually about three hours each, and a final session to review the results and plans for implementing accommodations or modifications. Sometimes students take a long time to do the work, or become tired or distracted. We may schedule extra sessions so that our results are valid. There is no extra cost for these extra sessions.

Can I get a psychoeducational assessment done without taking my child out of school?

In some situations I am able to arrange psychoeducational testing on weekends. I suggest calling and speaking with me directly to make such arrangements. But be aware, weekend assessment times fill quickly, and after school students are often tired. We need student’s to be fresh and ready to engage so that the results are valid.

How long do I have to wait to schedule a psychoeducational assessment?

Once an opening is found in my schedule I usually am able to schedule a psychoeducational assessment between two to three weeks in advance. Results are usually available in about 3-4 weeks. If there is a deadline, please let me know at the start of the process. At certain points in the year we get multiple requests and the wait time may be extended a bit.

When is the right time to get a psychoeducational assessment done?

Don't wait until fall. And be aware, some of the materials you need to gather are difficult to obtain from the school during the summer months. Sometimes very simple educational interventions can make a big difference very quickly, sometimes they take a long time to have an affect. My best answer to that is, if you have concerns, don't wait. Schedule an appointment with your family doctor or a registered psychologist to start the process. The cost of an initial meeting is part of the overall cost of the assessment, and can help you understand what kinds of data, information and listening and observing you might want to do over the next few months, even if you are not going to move forward with the psychoeducational assessment immediately.

What is the cost of a psychoeducational assessment?

A psychoeducational assessment costs between $2,600 and $3,200. Sometimes more complex situations call for more complex testing, such as a student who also needs an assessment for autism spectrum disorder. Addition time is billed at the normal hourly rate. The above rate includes our initial session to discuss your or your child's history, current symptoms and concerns, and the final meeting where the completed assessment is presented and explained. You will receive a written report to bring to your school. Parents often ask if this assessment covers issues of ADHD. Yes, ADHD is fully assessed and diagnosed during this process.

What specialized training do you have to provide psychoeducational assessments?

In addition to being a registered psychologist, I have also been a school psychologist (and hold a school psychology or educational psychology license in several jurisdictions), I have worked as a classroom teacher (and hold a teaching license in special education), a behaviour management specialist for several school districts, and have provided teacher training workshops in BC, California and New York. I have worked as a provincial consultant for autism and behaviour management issues with several BC school districts.

I hold a doctorate in clinical psychology, a certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in school psychology and have completed two post doctoral years of training in school and neuropsychology. 

My background, experience and training helps me develop  plans that are grounded in the realities of the classroom experience. I know students not only from the point of view of testing, but also as a teacher, administrator and parent.

After reading this material feel free to email me further questions.

 NOTE: It is often difficult to get materials from schools in a timely manner. Two forms I require from the school are completed by the teachers, these include the CADDRA Teacher Report and the teacher completing the CADDRA SNAP IV-26. Once we agree that we are moving. forward with ab assessment you can print out copies of these forms (below) and have this information ready when you see me. I always require these forms as I need to rule out ADHD, and they provide information useful when considering other issues. The CARRDA Teacher Report is an easy way to illicit information from teacher, but any other information/data/results they might feel is important is also welcome.

CADDRA SNAP IV -26
CADDRA Teacher Report