Child & Adolescent Assessment
Helping Families Navigate Learning and Development
Overview
Insights for Your Family
Every child is unique, and when challenges arise, families deserve clear answers and caring support. Our assessments are designed to help you understand your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style so you can make informed decisions and confidently support their growth at home, at school, and in the community.
Psycho-educational Assessments
Psychoeducational assessments focus on how a child learns, thinks, and processes information. They are commonly requested when a child is experiencing academic difficulties, working much harder than peers, or feeling frustrated or discouraged at school.
A psychoeducational assessment may help:
- Identify learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia)
- Clarify attention and executive functioning concerns, including ADHD
- Understand cognitive strengths, learning styles, or giftedness
- Support educational planning, accommodations, or Individual Education Plans (IEPs/SEPs)
Families receive a thorough written report and feedback session that explains results in plain language and offers practical, school‑relevant recommendations.
Autism Assessments
Pre-school & School-Age
Autism assessments help clarify whether a child or adolescent meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), while also providing a nuanced understanding of the child’s communication style, strengths, support needs, and everyday functioning.
An autism assessment can help:
- Clarify whether a child or adolescent meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Better understand communication, social, and behavioural differences
- Identify strengths and support needs at home, school, and in the community
- Guide access to services, interventions, and appropriate accommodations
We offer autism assessments for both pre-school and school-age children. Our team provides developmentally appropriate evaluations tailored to your child’s age and needs, whether you have concerns about early communication and social engagement or questions about learning, behaviour, and daily functioning in school-aged children.
Re‑Assessments & Confirmation of Diagnosis
Re‑assessments are sometimes recommended when a child’s needs, circumstances, or questions have changed over time. This may include transitions between school stages, evolving learning or emotional concerns, or the need for updated information to support planning, accommodations, or services. A re‑assessment builds on previous assessment findings while considering the child’s current development, strengths, and challenges. The goal is to provide updated, relevant guidance that reflects where the child or adolescent is now. Re‑assessments require a previous psycho‑educational or psycho‑diagnostic assessment within the past five years.
A Confirmation of Diagnosis is sometimes required when a child or adolescent has been assessed in another province or jurisdiction and needs to access supports in BC. Instead of repeating the entire assessment process, our psychologists can review the previous report to confirm that the diagnosis meets BC requirements, or advise if additional testing is needed.
Understanding the Process
What the Assessment Process Looks Like
While every assessment is individualized, most child and adolescent assessments include:
A parent or caregiver intake interview
Review of relevant background information (school records, previous assessments, medical or developmental history)
Age‑appropriate standardized testing and/or observation
Questionnaires completed by parents, teachers, and when appropriate, the child or adolescent
A feedback session to review findings and recommendations
A comprehensive written report, including diagnoses and tailored recommendations
Our approach is respectful, developmentally informed, and family‑centred. We recognize that families may come to this process feeling uncertain, hopeful, or overwhelmed, and we aim to provide clear information and thoughtful guidance at every stage.
Getting Started
If you are considering an assessment or re‑assessment for your child or adolescent, our team can help you explore your questions, explain assessment options, and determine the most appropriate next step. Wait times can vary depending on the type of assessment and current demand, and we encourage families to get on the waitlist as early as possible. Joining the waitlist is no obligation, and our administrative and clinical team remains available to answer questions and offer guidance along the way.
Popular Inquiries
Understanding Child Assessments
How do I know if my child needs an assessment?
Families often consider an assessment when a child is struggling academically, experiencing emotional or behavioural challenges, or when concerns have been raised by a school, healthcare provider, or funding body. If you’re unsure whether an assessment is the right next step, our team can help you think through your concerns and explore available options.
What is the difference between therapy and an assessment?
Therapy focuses on ongoing support, skill‑building, and change over time. An assessment is a structured, time‑limited process designed to answer specific questions about learning, development, behaviour, or emotional functioning, and results in a written report with findings and recommendations.
Do parents or caregivers need to be involved?
Yes. Parents or caregivers play an essential role in child and adolescent assessments by providing history, context, and consent. For adolescents, we work collaboratively with both the young person and their caregivers, while respecting developmental needs for privacy and autonomy. In all cases, parents and/or legal guardians must provide consent for their child to be assessed prior to beginning.
Are assessments covered by insurance or funding?
Coverage varies depending on the type of assessment and your insurer or funding source. We work closely with various schools, non-profits, and ministries who may fund an assessment for your child. Your family may also have private health benefits that can cover part or all of an assessment in some cases. We highly recommend checking directly with your provider before beginning the process, and our team can assist with documentation if needed.
Do I need a referral for an assessment?
No, private assessments do not require a referral. However, if a schools, funding program, insurer, or other third‑party organizations is providing funding directly we may require one. Our administrative team can help clarify what is needed in your situation.
Will my child receive a diagnosis?
Some assessments result in a diagnosis, while others focus on understanding strengths, learning profiles, or support needs without assigning a formal label. The focus is always on clarity and recommendations that are helpful and meaningful.
Will we receive a written report?
Yes. All assessments include a comprehensive written report written in clear, accessible language. With consent, reports can be shared with schools or other professionals to support planning, accommodations, or access to services.
