Assessment

The Westcoast Child Development Group provides a number of assessment services that use standardized testing materials, multiple sources, and sound clinical judgement.

The clinic professionals are fully trained in various comprehensive assessment techniques and in the interpretation of the results. Each assessment is individually tailored to the specific referral question and results are shared with educators or mental health professionals at the request of the family. Each report is accompanied by a number of specific and detailed recommendations tailored to meet the needs of the learner.

Psychoeducational Assessments

This form of assessment is seen as an integral part of a comprehensive learning plan. A comprehensive Psychoeducational assessment allows for a detailed analysis of a learner’s strengths and areas of need. Standardized measurement tools are used to chart the performance of each learner and compare him or her to their same-age peers. The individual profile can then help guide any educational accommodations/modifications.

What questions can a Psychoeducational Assessment answer?

  • Why is my child having difficulty learning?
  • I sense Why is my child underachieving academically?
  • Does my child have any learning differences, such as Dyslexia, a Specific Learning Disorder, an Intellectual Disability or Giftedness? 
  • Are any social or emotional factors contributing to my child’s experience at school?
  • How can I set my child up for success at school or university?

What does a Psychoeducational Assessment involve?

  • An interview with parents to hear their concerns
  • Interview with your child 
  • Assessment of your child’s
    • cognitive abilities
    • academic skills
    • other areas contributing to learning
  • Questionnaires that give us additional perspective from: 
    • the child
    • parents 
    • teacher 

What happens after the assessment?

  • Your clinician will meet with you to share:
    • feedback and any diagnostic conclusions
    • recommendations
  • You will receive a detailed report describing the conclusions and recommendations
  • You can share the report to collaborate with school or university staff on a learning plan

Autism Spectrum Assessment

Following the provincial guidelines, our Psychologists use the recommended standardized assessment and clinical observation and tools. Our clinicians strictly adhere to the BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) guidelines for autism.

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At the Westcoast Child Development Group, we specialize in autism assessments for children between the ages of 6-18. For information on autism assessments of adults please visit www.spectrumworks.consulting .

What questions can an Autism Spectrum Assessment answer?

  • What is contributing to my child’s social difficulties? 
  • Why is my child having trouble making friends or sustaining relationships?
  • How can I help my child socially? 


What does an Autism Spectrum Assessment involve?

  • A structured interview with parents: the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised
  • An assessment of your child’s behaviour and social functioning 
  • Questionnaires for your child, their parents and teacher that give us additional perspectives 

What happens after the assessment?

  • Your clinician will meet with you to share:
    • feedback and any diagnostic conclusions
    • recommendations
  • You will receive a report describing the conclusions and recommendations

ADHD Assessment

Individuals with suspected inattention or hyperactivity issues often benefit from a specific and tailored assessment. In an effort to best capture the attentional concerns, our team covers a variety of facets that include working memory, sustained attention, executive functioning, learning profiles, cognitive profiles, and parent/teacher questionnaires.

What questions can an ADHD assessment answer?

  • Does my child have ADHD?
  • Is ADHD contributing to my child:
    • having difficulty focusing at school?
    • showing aggressive, disruptive or disorganized behaviour? 
    • Having trouble making and keeping friends?

What does an ADHD Assessment involve?

  • A meeting and interview with: 
    • parents to hear their concerns
    • your child to learn about their experience
  • Questionnaires that give us additional perspective from: 
    • the child
    • parents 
    • teacher 

What happens after the assessment?

  • Your clinician will meet with you to share:
    • feedback and any diagnostic conclusions
    • recommendations
  • You will receive a brief report describing the conclusions and recommendations

Mental Health Assessment

What questions can a Mental Health Assessment answer?

  • Is my child going through a phase or should I be concerned about their behaviour?
  • Is my child experiencing a mental health problem, such as Depression, an Anxiety Disorder, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
  • Can my child benefit from therapy?
  • Where should I start to help my child with their mood, anxiety or behaviour? 

What does a Mental Health Assessment involve?

  • A meeting and interview with: 
    • parents to hear their concerns
    • your child to learn about their experience
  • Questionnaires that give us additional perspective from: 
    • the child
    • parents 
    • teacher 

What happens after the assessment?

  • Your clinician will meet with you to share:
    • feedback and any diagnostic conclusions
    • recommendations
  • You will receive a brief report describing the conclusions and recommendations

 

Family Check up

What questions can a Family Check Up answer?

  • What are our family’s strengths and areas of need?
  • How are different family factors supporting and contributing to my child’s social, emotional and behavioural well-being?
  • What can we do to strengthen our parenting skills?
  • How can our family better support our child’s social, emotional and behavioural functioning?


What does a Family Check Up involve?

  • An interview with parents about your child, your family’s strengths and challenges
  • Collecting video recordings of a child and their parents completing several activities together
  • Questionnaires that give us additional perspective from: 
    • the child
    • parents 
    • teacher 

 

What happens after the assessment?

  • Your clinician will meet with parents to:
    • Share feedback to help identify strengths and areas for improvement in your family that promote positive child development
    • Help parents generate goals for their family
  • You will receive a visual summary of your family’s strengths and areas of need