assessments at Nu PSYCHOLOGY

Calgary Child, Teen and Emerging Adult Assessments

An assessment is a comprehensive process that focuses on understanding each individual’s needs.  The assessment team works with families at a pace that feels right for the individual and is focused on providing strength-based assessments with individualized strategies and recommendations. Prior to completing an assessment, we recommend reaching out to our assessment team to determine if our practice is the best fit for your family and to answer your questions about the assessment process.

The Benefits of Completing an Assessment

Through a detailed assessment, individuals can understand historical and current concerns that impact present-day functioning. These assessments involve diagnosis through standardized measures and an in-depth clinical interview. As symptoms of conditions often overlap and manifest in a similar fashion, a clinical assessment can help in determining the primary concern. They can be useful for treatment planning and tailoring intervention towards the underlying issue. Clinical interviews investigate symptoms of and conditions from the DSM-5, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and overall functioning. NU Psychology does not require a client to undergo an assessment or diagnosis to start the treatment. Clients who are looking for an assessment often have a specific reason, such as wanting personal clarification, work and/or university accommodations, as well as treatment recommendations.

Types of Assessments

Psychoeducational Assessment (Educational/Social/Emotional)

NU Psychology conducts Psychoeducational Assessments for individuals of all ages. A psychoeducational assessment helps determine an individual’s unique learning strengths and challenges. Assessments can be a helpful tool for individual’s experiencing difficulties in school, attention and focus challenges, or other clinical concerns. Academic, learning, and attention issues often manifest in waysthat do not match the underlying issue. Psychoeducational assessments can be a part of the detective work to help understand an individual’s needs.  Psychoeducational assessments are typically conducted to determine an individual’s learning strengths and weaknesses. 

Direct assessment is typically approximately 2.5 hours for the WISC-V, and 2.5 hours for the WIAT depending on the individual and the need for breaks etc. Testing sessions are conducted over two different appointments, and a debrief session is provided once a full report has been written.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

NU Psychology conducts ASD assessments using the recommended, gold standard measures. Additional observations are often a part of the assessment if needed. As part of the assessment, additional clinical measures may be given to determine if comorbid symptoms are impacting the individual, as well as adaptive or cognitive functioning when needed. ASD assessments are completed in a very thorough manner at NU Psychology and may include the following measures.

  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition (ADOS-2). The ADOS-2 is a semi structured assessment and observation of an individuals social communication, interaction style,  and imaginative skills. Activities that are introduced as part of the assessment vary according to an individual's language level and age. 

  • Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R). The ADI-R is a detailed clinical interview that gathers historical and current information related to development and the DSM-V diagnostic criteria. This interview typically lasts 2 to 3 hours. 

  • The NEPSY-II. - The NEPSY-II is a neuropsychological assessment that is used to further investigate areas of impact that individuals with ASD may experience including language, executive functioning, memory and learning, social perception, visuospatial processing, and sensorimotor abilities. 

  • Questionnaires – Additional information is often obtained from teachers and parents on specific areas of challenge. Areas measured may include Sensory Processing, Executive Functioning, Adaptive Functioning, and additional clinical measures depending on presenting concerns. 

An assessment is an important part of investigating diagnostics, intervention strategies, and educational recommendations. ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition and treatment should be tailored towards the greatest impact of functioning, at the appropriate developmental level. This may involve a mix of Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Psychology services to support sensory processing difficulties, social communication abilities, flexibility, and/or clinical challenges. Strength-based intervention is key to growth and involves a tailored approach towards a child’s interests, learning preferences, and developmental level in the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social realm. An assessment can identify and help with such treatment.