Does Clarity Assessment Services provide counselling or treatment services?

 

No.  My specialty is psychoeducational assessment.  I only offer services that are consistent with my training and experience.

 

Why do some people call it a Learning Disability, and others call it a Learning Disorder?

 

"Learning Disability" is the term and definition used by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC).  It's also the term used within Alberta Education.  "Specific Learning Disorder" is the diagnostic term used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5-TR), which is the diagnostic tool Psychologist's use in their practice.  The criteria is somewhat different between the two definitions, but a diagnosis of "Specific Learning Disorder" qualifies for identification as a student with a Learning Disability through Alberta Education (AB Ed. code "54").

 

Does my child need a Psychoeducational Assessment?

 

This is the question I'll try to help you answer during our first consultation. If I don't feel that a psychoeducational assessment is going to address your concerns, or if it sounds like another service is more appropriate to start with, I'll tell you.  My goal is to provide assessments to address the needs of you and your child.  If my service won't help address that need, I'll help you find what will. 

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of an Assessment?

 

The advantages of assessment include identifying the factors impacting your child's learning, both strengths and areas of need.  The assessment results may lead to more tailored interventions in the classroom, and greater insight into how your child processes information.  The disadvantages include the possibility that your child will be identified with a specific disability; however, that can also be an advantage depending on the services you can access in the community as a result of that diagnostic opinion.  These considerations will be discussed with you in detail before proceeding with any assessment of your child.

 

How long does an assessment take?

 

How long an assessment takes will depend upon the referral question, and the degree of thoroughness required.  For example, a fairly straight forward assessment for a Learning Disability or Giftedness is 12 hours of clinical time.  An assessment for ADHD, or mood, which should be done within the context of a psychoeducational assessment, is 16 hours of clinical time.   Our initial consultation will help determine the primary referral question, and help determine the time necessary to meet your assessment inquiry. 

 

How much does a Psychoeducational Assessment cost? 

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The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta provides a recommended fee schedule for Psychologists in Alberta.  Clarity Assessment Services fees are $250 per 60-minute hour, and are billed in a flat fee-for-service based upon the service type.  This flat-fee approach is taken so that my clients know exactly what the cost of service will be before proceeding, and is inclusive of all the steps in the assessment process (i.e., intake meeting, testing, report writing, and debrief meeting).  Should the assessment plan change through the course of the assessment, additional service fees will apply (e.g., initial service for a Learning Disability assessment that evolves into a comprehensive assessment of behaviour/mood).  The service fees vary according to the type of assessment:

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• Assessment for Giftedness involving only a test of intellectual ability (such as is requested by Westmount Charter School) is billed at 6.5 hours ($1625).

  • Clarity Assessment Services conducts Westmount Charter Assessments for Grade 3 students or older (i.e., Kindergarten entry assessments are not currently offered). 

  • Clarity Assessment Services provides a report for all assessments regardless of outcome.

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• Assessment for a Learning Disability (AB Ed. code "54"), or Giftedness (AB Ed code "80", GATE program assessment, etc.) is billed at 12 hours ($3000) and includes testing of both intellectual ability and academic achievement.

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• Assessment for ADHD, Anxiety, depression, or other mood/executive functioning needs is billed at 16 hours ($4000) and includes testing of intellectual ability, academic achievement, as well as administration of Rating Scales to investigate mood/executive functioning presentation. 

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Please note that a clinical opinion, if appropriate, would be explicitly stated within the context of a written report of the assessment findings.  A clinical opinion cannot be guaranteed as a result of assessment. 

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Is Psychoeducational Assessment covered by my employee benefits plan?

Clarity Assessment Services provides Psychological Services on a fee-for-service basis, and is not publicly funded. Some clients seeking Psychoeducational Assessments have reimbursement coverage through a third-party insurer (e.g., extended benefits through an employer contract).  Clients are responsible for understanding their available coverage for psychological service, and the limits thereof.  Clarity Assessment Services strongly encourages clients  directly contact their benefits provider before engaging a service agreement with any Psychologist.   Questions to consider asking include:

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• Does my plan cover psychological services provided by a Registered Psychologist?

• Does my plan have an annual maximum for psychological services?

• Does my plan have a maximum coverage per session? For example, if the session with the psychologist is two hours in a single day, are each of those hours eligible for reimbursement, or is there a maximum coverage per day/session?

• Does my plan have a maximum coverage per hour of service?

• Does my plan have a distinct policy regarding coverage for psychoeducational assessment?  If so, what are the details of that policy coverage?

• Does my plan require an estimate in advance of service for pre-approval?

• Does my plan require a recommendation from a doctor to conduct a psychoeducational assessment in order to access my coverage?

• Have I used a portion of my coverage for psychological services already this year, and what coverage availability remains

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Please note that Clarity Assessment Services' fees are billed directly to the client; direct billing is not available.    All service fees are the responsibility of the client.  

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What documentation will I receive upon completion of the assessment?

 

All assessment services are concluded with a debrief meeting where I review the content of the Psychoeducational Assessment Report.  This report reviews the relevant information to understand a child's history and presentation, my observations in working with them, outcomes of standardized testing and rating scales (if administered), as well as strategies  based upon your child's unique profile of strengths and needs.  This document varies in length based upon the complexity of your child's profile.  The more complex the profile, the greater the detail in explanation and recommendations.  

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Once we have met to review the outcomes of your child's assessment and the service fees are settled in full, a copy of the Psychoeducational Assessment Report is released to you for your records.  This document belongs to you, and you are able to share the document with stakeholders in your child's care (e.g., school/teacher, doctor, etc.).  

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Please note that I cannot guarantee any specific outcome as a result of assessment; a diagnostic opinion is rendered only if one is appropriate based upon the outcomes of your child's assessment.  

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Do you do assessments for Kindergarten entry to Westmount Charter?

 

Although I do conduct assessments for Gifted Learners, I do not complete assessments for Kindergarten entry to Westmount.    

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