Standardized Assessment Services at Ascend Pediatrics

At Ascend Pediatrics, we understand that gaining a clear understanding of a person’s unique strengths and challenges is the first crucial step towards effective support. Our comprehensive standardized assessment services offer in-depth evaluations conducted by our experienced team of Psychologists. We provide detailed insights into development, learning style, and specific needs, forming the foundation for personalized and impactful interventions. We have assessments available for both Adults and Children!

Why Consider a Standardized Assessments

Assessments provide valuable information that can:

  • Identify Specific Needs: Pinpoint areas where your child might be excelling or facing difficulties, such as learning disabilities, developmental delays, or social-emotional challenges.

  • Guide Intervention: Provide a clear roadmap for tailored therapy plans, ensuring interventions are targeted and effective.

  • Inform Educational Planning: Offer insights that can support school-based programming, accommodations, and individualized education plans (IEPs).

  • Support Diagnoses: Contribute to official diagnoses when required, which can unlock access to specific funding or support services.

  • Empower Families: Give parents and caregivers a deeper understanding of their child's unique profile, fostering more effective support at home.

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Our Comprehensive Assessment Offerings

Our Psychology team offers a range of specialized assessments, each designed to provide a thorough understanding of both Adults and Children

Child Psychological Assessments

Every child has a unique way of seeing and interacting with the world. When they face challenges—whether in the classroom, with friends, or at home—it can be difficult for parents to know how to help. A psychological assessment is a positive, proactive step towards understanding your child’s specific strengths and needs. Our goal is to provide you with a clear roadmap, giving you the insights and tools needed to help your child thrive.

  • This is our most comprehensive assessment for understanding why a child might be struggling in school. It takes a deep dive into both their cognitive abilities (IQ) and their academic skills (reading, writing, math) to get a complete picture of how they learn.

    • Who it's for: Children and teens who are struggling academically, falling behind, or may have a suspected learning disability (like dyslexia or dysgraphia).

    • The outcome: You'll receive a clear diagnosis if a learning disability is present, a detailed profile of your child's learning style, and a list of specific, actionable recommendations to support them at school (e.g., for an Individualized Program Plan - IPP) and at home.

  • An ASD assessment is a thorough and careful evaluation of a child's social communication, interaction patterns, and sensory experiences. We use "gold standard" methods, including play-based observation and detailed interviews, to understand your child's unique profile.

    • Who it's for: Children who display differences in social interaction, have highly focused interests, follow specific routines, or have unique sensory sensitivities.

    • The outcome: A definitive diagnostic report that provides clarity and validation. This report is essential for understanding your child and can be used to access specialized school supports and government funding (like FSCD in Alberta).

  • This assessment looks beyond simple hyperactivity to determine if challenges with attention, impulse-control, and organization are due to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. We gather information from you, your child, and their teachers to ensure a comprehensive and accurate picture.

    • Who it's for: Children who struggle to focus, are disorganized, seem forgetful, have difficulty sitting still, or whose academic performance doesn't match their potential.

    • The outcome: A clear diagnosis, an understanding of the type of ADHD your child has (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined), and a practical toolkit of strategies for behaviour management and academic success.

  • This assessment focuses on your child's emotional well-being. It helps to identify and understand underlying challenges such as anxiety, depression, behavioural issues, or difficulties coping with stress and social situations.

    • Who it's for: Children who seem persistently sad or worried, have big emotional outbursts, are struggling to make or keep friends, or have experienced a significant life event.

    • The outcome: You'll gain a deeper understanding of your child's inner world and receive a clear diagnosis if applicable (e.g., Generalized Anxiety Disorder). We provide a clear path forward with recommendations for therapy and strategies you can use at home to support their mental health.

  • Sometimes, academic and social challenges arise when a child is not being sufficiently challenged. A giftedness assessment formally identifies a child's exceptional cognitive abilities.

    • Who it's for: Children who learn concepts very quickly, have an advanced vocabulary, ask deep questions, and may seem bored or disengaged in their regular classroom.

    • The outcome: This assessment provides the formal documentation of "gifted" or "talented" status, which is often required for acceptance into specialized school programs (like GATE programs). It also includes strategies to keep your child engaged and thriving.

Adult Psychology Assessments

Life can present challenges that are difficult to navigate alone. Whether you're seeking personal clarity, need documentation for a specific application, or are navigating a complex life transition, a psychological assessment can provide the answers and direction you need. Our assessments are a collaborative process designed to give you a deeper understanding of your strengths, challenges, and unique cognitive and emotional profile. We provide comprehensive reports and clear, actionable recommendations to help you move forward with confidence.

  • A cognitive assessment evaluates key brain-based skills like memory, attention, problem-solving, and processing speed.

    • Who it's for: Adults who have noticed changes in their memory or thinking, may have sustained a brain injury, or are seeking to understand their cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

    • The outcome: A detailed profile of your cognitive functioning and strategies to support any areas of difficulty.

  • This is a formal assessment required by the Government of Alberta for applications involving adult guardianship or trusteeship. We are qualified to complete the necessary Form 4 documentation.

    • Who it's for: Families and individuals who need to determine if an adult has the capacity to make their own personal, legal, or financial decisions.

    • The outcome: A completed Form 4 and a comprehensive report for your application with the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee.

  • Applying for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) or Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) requires specific psychological documentation. We can help.

    • Who it's for: Adults with a disability who are applying for provincial support programs and need a formal assessment to support their application.

    • The outcome: The necessary psychological report and completed documentation required for your AISH or PDD application.

  • This highly specialized assessment is for pilots, air crew, and air traffic controllers. It evaluates cognitive fitness, decision-making, and psychological stability required for aviation careers. ✈️

    • Who it's for: Aspiring or current aviation professionals who require a psychological evaluation for licensure or employment.

    • The outcome: A comprehensive report addressing fitness for duty as per aviation authority standards.

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) looks different in adults. This assessment provides diagnostic clarity on challenges with focus, organization, and impulsivity.

    • Who it's for: Adults who have long suspected they have ADHD or who are struggling with symptoms that impact their work, relationships, and daily life.

    • The outcome: A definitive diagnosis, a deeper understanding of how ADHD affects you, and personalized recommendations for strategies and support.

  • An Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessment helps adults understand their unique social, communication, and sensory processing profile.

    • Who it's for: Adults who feel they have always perceived the world differently and identify with ASD traits.

    • The outcome: Diagnostic clarity that can provide a lifetime of personal insight, validation, and strategies for navigating a neurotypical world.

  • These assessments explore your enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. They can help identify underlying personality structures or specific behavioural challenges.

    • Who it's for: Individuals seeking deeper self-awareness, or as part of a broader assessment to understand issues like mood disorders, anxiety, or interpersonal difficulties.

    • The outcome: Valuable insight into your personality and behaviour, which can inform therapy and personal growth.

Comprehensive & Career-Focused Assessments

Return to Work Assessments

This evaluation assesses an individual's psychological readiness to return to their job after a leave of absence due to mental health reasons (e.g., burnout, depression, anxiety).

  • Who it's for: Employees preparing to return to work, or for employers seeking an objective opinion on an employee's psychological fitness for duty.

  • The outcome: A clear report with recommendations for a successful and sustainable return to the workplace, including any suggested accommodations.

Comprehensive Psychological Assessments

This is our most in-depth evaluation, integrating cognitive, behavioural, personality, and academic testing into one seamless assessment.

  • Who it's for: Individuals with complex or overlapping challenges who need a complete 360-degree view of their functioning.

  • The outcome: A holistic and highly detailed report that synthesizes all findings into a unified understanding, with a robust and integrated set of recommendations.

Assessments for Legal & Family Matters

Navigating the family court system is stressful. Our objective, child-focused assessments provide clarity for legal professionals and families alike.

Parenting Capacity Assessments

This is a comprehensive evaluation of a parent's ability to meet their child's physical, emotional, and developmental needs.

  • Who it's for: Parents involved in custody disputes or child welfare cases where questions about parenting abilities have been raised.

  • The outcome: A detailed, objective report for family court, lawyers, or child protective services that outlines parenting strengths and challenges.

Practice Note 7 (PN7) Interventions

PN7 is a court-ordered process in Alberta designed to help families in high-conflict separations. As qualified professionals, we can conduct the necessary evaluations and therapeutic interventions.

  • Who it's for: Families involved in high-conflict legal disputes who have been directed by the court to engage in a PN7 intervention.

  • The outcome: Fulfilling the court's requirements through specialized assessments and interventions aimed at reducing conflict and promoting child well-being.

Voice of the Child Assessments

This assessment provides a neutral, safe way for a child's views and preferences to be heard and considered in parenting disputes without them having to testify in court.

  • Who it's for: Separating or divorced parents who want or are required by the court to have their child's perspective professionally gathered and reported.

  • The outcome: A formal report that clearly and ethically conveys the child’s perspective to parents, lawyers, and the court.

Our Assessment Process

While each assessment is tailored to your specific needs, our general process includes:

  1. Initial Consultation/Intake

We begin with a discussion to understand your concerns and gather background information.

2. Assessment
Sessions

These sessions involve direct interaction with your child using standardized tools and clinical observation. Depending on the assessment, this may take one or more appointments.

3. Data Analysis &
Report Writing

Our therapists meticulously analyze the assessment data and compile a comprehensive report detailing findings, diagnoses (if applicable), and personalized recommendations.

4. Feedback Session

We schedule a dedicated meeting to review the results, explain the findings in clear language, and discuss recommended next steps and intervention strategies.

Ready to Find Your Path Forward?

Understanding is the first step towards positive change. You've learned about our services and our process, and now we invite you to connect with us. You don't have to have all the answers right now—that's what we're here for. Reach out to schedule a free, confidential consultation call. We can discuss your specific concerns and help you determine the most supportive path forward for you or your child. Let's take the next step, together.

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