Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Welcome to Uniquely Me Psychology. I'm delighted that you found your way here and look forward to connecting with you. ♡
Can you break it down? What exactly is assessed in a psychoeducational assessment?
Can you break it down? What exactly is assessed in a psychoeducational assessment?
Components of a psychoeducational assessment are dependent on the referral question, but in general, they include:
Cognitive Assessment
Evaluates intellectual abilities using standardized tests to understand your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. This piece encompasses what we traditionally think of as “IQ”, but our brains are so much more complicated than one number can ever represent! Rather, we look at seven key areas of cognition that have been found to be most directly related to academic achievement (e.g. memory, processing speed, etc.) to get an understanding of your child’s unique cognitive profile and how it is impacting their learning.
Academic Assessment
Assesses your child’s skills in reading, writing, mathematics, to identify specific areas of need or learning disabilities.
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Assessment
Examines social, emotional, and behavioral functioning to identify factors that may impact your child’s learning, social interactions, or overall well-being.
Adaptive Functioning Assessment
Assesses a child’s ability to perform everyday tasks and activities independently.
What will the day be like for my child?
What will the day be like for my child?
I have been doing psychoeducational assessments with children in schools for several years and I can say with confidence that a good majority of children I work with seem to enjoy the experience! While some children are a bit nervous when they enter my office, it is my goal to ensure that I am creating a safe and comfortable environment for your child (and in my experience, those nerves dissipate quickly!). I take as much time as needed to establish rapport and get to know your kiddo. While the term “standardized testing” sounds formal, the reality is, your child will be completing different activities with me like playing with blocks, completing puzzles, and answering questions (many of the activities are on an iPad… a big draw for kids!). While some of the activities may be easy for them and others may be hard, they will be told that all that matters is that they try their best, and that is the truth! We will take breaks as needed and you can be assured that your child’s comfort is my top priority.
I have been doing psychoeducational assessments with children in schools for several years and I can say with confidence that a good majority of children I work with seem to enjoy the experience! While some children are a bit nervous when they enter my office, it is my goal to ensure that I am creating a safe and comfortable environment for your child (and in my experience, those nerves dissipate quickly!). I take as much time as needed to establish rapport and get to know your kiddo. While the term “standardized testing” sounds formal, the reality is, your child will be completing different activities with me like playing with blocks, completing puzzles, and answering questions (many of the activities are on an iPad… a big draw for kids!). While some of the activities may be easy for them and others may be hard, they will be told that all that matters is that they try their best, and that is the truth! We will take breaks as needed and you can be assured that your child’s comfort is my top priority.
Are psychoeducational assessment services available for free through my child’s school? Why should I have my child tested privately?
Are psychoeducational assessment services available for free through my child’s school? Why should I have my child tested privately?
Yes. Students are eligible to receive psychological services through their school. In a perfect world, every child who requires a psychoeducational assessment would receive it through the school division, free of cost to the family. Unfortunately, the reality is that the demand for assessment is far higher than the availability of services, resulting in long wait lists. Schools are faced with difficult choices in regard to prioritizing children’s assessments based on complexity of needs, and sadly, many students miss out on the opportunity for timely assessment, despite the fact that they could hugely benefit from one. I absolutely encourage you to reach out to your child’s school to discuss the potential for your child to have a psychoeducational assessment completed through their school. If the wait list is long or you are told that your child cannot be seen, then exploring private assessment may be appropriate for you and your child.
Yes. Students are eligible to receive psychological services through their school. In a perfect world, every child who requires a psychoeducational assessment would receive it through the school division, free of cost to the family. Unfortunately, the reality is that the demand for assessment is far higher than the availability of services, resulting in long wait lists. Schools are faced with difficult choices in regard to prioritizing children’s assessments based on complexity of needs, and sadly, many students miss out on the opportunity for timely assessment, despite the fact that they could hugely benefit from one. I absolutely encourage you to reach out to your child’s school to discuss the potential for your child to have a psychoeducational assessment completed through their school. If the wait list is long or you are told that your child cannot be seen, then exploring private assessment may be appropriate for you and your child.
Does Uniquely Me provide assessment services for adults?
Does Uniquely Me provide assessment services for adults?
Depends! If you had a psychoeducational assessment as a child but require an updated assessment so that you can access support in your pursuit of post-secondary education, the answer is yes! Or perhaps you were never given the opportunity to have an assessment during your school years but think that you may have an undiagnosed disability? Let’s chat about whether psychoeducational assessment at Uniquely Me is right for you!
Depends! If you had a psychoeducational assessment as a child but require an updated assessment so that you can access support in your pursuit of post-secondary education, the answer is yes! Or perhaps you were never given the opportunity to have an assessment during your school years but think that you may have an undiagnosed disability? Let’s chat about whether psychoeducational assessment at Uniquely Me is right for you!
$2,600* is a lot of money. What does the fee cover?
$2,600* is a lot of money. What does the fee cover?
I hear you. If it is not covered by insurance, psychoeducational assessment is an investment of your hard-earned money. I have utmost respect for the fact that the cost is significant. My fee aligns with the current recommendations for psychological assessment services set by the Psychology Association of Saskatchewan. The cost covers our intake conversation, the pre-assessment information gathering meeting, the time it takes to gather information from your child’s school team, the formal assessment, and the post-assessment meeting. Please know that I put many hours of work into your child’s written report and pride myself on being thorough and delivering a report that is personal and tailored to your child.
I hear you. If it is not covered by insurance, psychoeducational assessment is an investment of your hard-earned money. I have utmost respect for the fact that the cost is significant. My fee aligns with the current recommendations for psychological assessment services set by the Psychology Association of Saskatchewan. The cost covers our intake conversation, the pre-assessment information gathering meeting, the time it takes to gather information from your child’s school team, the formal assessment, and the post-assessment meeting. Please know that I put many hours of work into your child’s written report and pride myself on being thorough and delivering a report that is personal and tailored to your child.
*Please note, this is an approximate cost. Actual fee is determined based on referral question, types of assessment required, and time required to complete the assessment.
Is psychoeducational assessment covered by insurance?
Is psychoeducational assessment covered by insurance?
Many insurance companies cover psychological services delivered by a registered psychologist. Please consult with your insurance company and discuss the details of your coverage prior to assessment to ensure that you are not surprised by less coverage than you anticipated. I am happy to have transparent conversations with you about the cost of assessment.
Many insurance companies cover psychological services delivered by a registered psychologist. Please consult with your insurance company and discuss the details of your coverage prior to assessment to ensure that you are not surprised by less coverage than you anticipated. I am happy to have transparent conversations with you about the cost of assessment.
Will my child receive a diagnosis?
Will my child receive a diagnosis?
A formal diagnosis is not guaranteed. If the results of your child’s assessment align with the diagnostic criteria for a Specific Learning Disability, ADHD, or Intellectual Developmental Disorder, your child may receive a formal diagnosis. It is your choice whether you share this diagnosis with anyone (i.e. your child’s school). Alternatively, it is possible that your child will not meet any diagnostic criteria, but you will still receive a comprehensive report outlining your child’s cognitive, academic and behavioural/social/emotional functioning and recommendations to support their academic and overall success moving forward.
A formal diagnosis is not guaranteed. If the results of your child’s assessment align with the diagnostic criteria for a Specific Learning Disability, ADHD, or Intellectual Developmental Disorder, your child may receive a formal diagnosis. It is your choice whether you share this diagnosis with anyone (i.e. your child’s school). Alternatively, it is possible that your child will not meet any diagnostic criteria, but you will still receive a comprehensive report outlining your child’s cognitive, academic and behavioural/social/emotional functioning and recommendations to support their academic and overall success moving forward.
I’m worried about the stigma of a label/diagnosis. Why would I want to label my child?
I’m worried about the stigma of a label/diagnosis. Why would I want to label my child?
Simple answer: Diagnoses = access to support (and sometimes funding). A diagnosis means that your child is legally entitled to have access to pertinent accommodations and adaptations required so that they can succeed to their potential in school (both secondary and post-secondary).
Simple answer: Diagnoses = access to support (and sometimes funding). A diagnosis means that your child is legally entitled to have access to pertinent accommodations and adaptations required so that they can succeed to their potential in school (both secondary and post-secondary).
More complex answer: I hear your concern. It saddens me that there is stigma surrounding diagnoses, mental health, disability, etc., but I am a wholehearted believer in the notion that diagnosis increases understanding. If your child has an undiagnosed disability, I can assure you, they already know that they are different, and it is possible that they are assigning their own labels to that feeling… some of which are not positive nor true (e.g. “I’m stupid”; “Everyone else is smarter than me”; “I’ll never learn to read…”). Diagnosis gives your child the key to understanding their unique brain and why certain things may be challenging for them while other things are easy. In my experience, children, youth, and their parents actually feel a sense of relief when they can finally understand the “why” behind a challenge and have a path forward.
More complex answer: I hear your concern. It saddens me that there is stigma surrounding diagnoses, mental health, disability, etc., but I am a wholehearted believer in the notion that diagnosis increases understanding. If your child has an undiagnosed disability, I can assure you, they already know that they are different, and it is possible that they are assigning their own labels to that feeling… some of which are not positive nor true (e.g. “I’m stupid”; “Everyone else is smarter than me”; “I’ll never learn to read…”). Diagnosis gives your child the key to understanding their unique brain and why certain things may be challenging for them while other things are easy. In my experience, children, youth, and their parents actually feel a sense of relief when they can finally understand the “why” behind a challenge and have a path forward.
Can I share the report with my child’s school?
Can I share the report with my child’s school?
Who you share your child’s report with is your decision. I do however, encourage you to consider sharing the report with your child’s school. It provides important information about how your child thinks and learns. I am a huge proponent of the notion that knowledge is power and believe that allowing educators the opportunity to better understand your child will only increase their ability to understand your child and support their learning in a way that makes the most sense for their brain.
Who you share your child’s report with is your decision. I do however, encourage you to consider sharing the report with your child’s school. It provides important information about how your child thinks and learns. I am a huge proponent of the notion that knowledge is power and believe that allowing educators the opportunity to better understand your child will only increase their ability to understand your child and support their learning in a way that makes the most sense for their brain.
I am divorced from my child’s mother/father. Do I need my child’s other parent to agree to psychoeducational assessment?
I am divorced from my child’s mother/father. Do I need my child’s other parent to agree to psychoeducational assessment?
Both child’s parents must consent to move forward with psychoeducational assessment services of a minor except if one parent has full custody. Please note that documentation of legal guardianship may be requested.
Both child’s parents must consent to move forward with psychoeducational assessment services of a minor except if one parent has full custody. Please note that documentation of legal guardianship may be requested.
Is there anything I should do prior to my child's assessment?
Is there anything I should do prior to my child's assessment?
Prior to diagnosis, it is important that we rule out any other potential factors that could be contributing to your child’s difficulties. Please ensure that your child has an updated eye exam, does not have any hearing concerns, and has had a recent checkup with their medical doctor.
Prior to diagnosis, it is important that we rule out any other potential factors that could be contributing to your child’s difficulties. Please ensure that your child has an updated eye exam, does not have any hearing concerns, and has had a recent checkup with their medical doctor.
Is there anything I should do the day before/of my child’s assessment?
Is there anything I should do the day before/of my child’s assessment?
Please ensure that your child is as well-rested as possible the night before their assessment. I will be working their brain and want them to be able to perform their best!
If your child takes any medications (e.g. ADHD medication), please ensure that they have taken them as regularly scheduled.
Please nourish your child’s brain with a good meal prior to assessment.
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