Can ADHD, Autism, or Psychoeducational Assessments Be Completed Virtually?
Virtual psychological services have made assessment more accessible for many families. At the same time, not every test or referral question can be addressed well through a screen. The right format depends on the person, the measures, the environment, and the decisions that will be made from the results. Which Parts Can Often Be Completed […]
ADHD, Psychoeducational, or Autism Assessment: Which One Does My Child Need?
One of the most common questions parents ask is: Which assessment am I supposed to book? The answer depends less on the label you suspect and more on the questions you need answered. Choose an ADHD Assessment When the Main Questions Involve: An ADHD assessment examines developmental history, symptoms across settings, impairment, executive functioning, and […]
Can an ADHD Assessment Help My Child Access Medication?
Parents are sometimes told to “get an ADHD assessment” before speaking with a physician about medication. This can create confusion about who diagnoses ADHD and who prescribes treatment. A psychologist can assess and diagnose ADHD when this falls within their training and professional competence. Psychologists do not prescribe medication. Medication decisions are made by an […]
Do Psychologists at Koru Assess Teenagers and Adults, or Only Children?
Neurodevelopmental differences do not disappear when childhood ends. Some people are identified early. Others reach high school, university, employment, or parenthood before recognizing that longstanding difficulties may reflect ADHD, autism, a learning disability, or another difference. Why Might a Teen Need an Assessment? Teenagers may be referred because: A student may cope successfully in elementary […]
Will a Psychological Assessment Help My Child Get School Accommodations?
A psychological assessment can provide strong evidence about a child’s learning and support needs. It cannot guarantee that a school will provide every recommended accommodation or resource. Understanding that distinction helps families advocate more effectively. What Can an Assessment Report Do? A comprehensive report can explain: Recommendations may include: The strongest recommendation explains both what […]
How Long Is the Wait for a Psychological Assessment?
When parents ask how long an assessment will take, they may be asking two different questions: Both timelines can vary. What Affects the Wait Time? Wait times depend on: Psychoeducational assessment demand often increases around school transitions, report-card periods, and application deadlines. Autism assessments may have longer waits when they require clinicians with specialized training […]
How Much Does a Psychological Assessment Cost in Alberta?
Psychological assessments are significant investments, and families deserve a clear explanation of what they are paying for. The total cost varies because “an assessment” is not one standard service. A focused ADHD assessment and a comprehensive evaluation of autism, learning, attention, and emotional functioning require different amounts of professional time. What Is Included in the […]
School Assessment or Private Psychoeducational Assessment: What Is the Difference?
When a child is struggling academically, many parents wonder whether they should wait for a school assessment or arrange a private psychoeducational assessment. Neither option is automatically better. They serve overlapping purposes and operate within different systems. What Is a School-Based Assessment? A school assessment is usually completed through the school division when the educational […]
Does My Child Need a Gifted Assessment?
Parents sometimes hesitate to ask about gifted assessment because they worry it will sound as though they are trying to prove that their child is exceptionally intelligent. That is not the purpose. A gifted assessment can help determine whether a child’s learning needs differ significantly from those of same-age peers and whether they require greater […]
ADHD or Autism? How Can You Tell the Difference?
ADHD and autism can look remarkably similar from the outside. A child with either diagnosis might: Many children are also both autistic and have ADHD. The goal of an assessment is therefore not to force every behaviour into one category. It is to understand the mechanisms beneath the behaviour. The Same Behaviour Can Have Different […]