Are you tired of questioning WHY things continue to be a challenge? Do you wonder if there are underlying reasons or more effective treatment that could help make your efforts worthwhile?
Whether you are struggling personally or see your child struggling, you don’t have to wait any longer. At Complete Psychological Services, we have two Psychologists specialized in the following assessment services listed below. We work well with all ages and with all concerns. So often, when problems arise, people reach out to their doctor and then wait for several referrals to others. Skip the referrals and waiting and go right to the specialists.
Explore the types of assessments offered, and don’t hesitate to contact us for a complimentary consultation.
Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be difficult as there is no simple medical test to diagnose the disorder. The disorder requires careful assessment of childhood development and current functioning using unique evaluation for the individual assessed. Looking at the child’s early developmental history and behaviour with present-day social-emotional and behaviour assessment can help make a diagnosis accurate. ASD can sometimes be detected as early as 18 months or younger. By age 2, an expert professional can assess and provide a reliable diagnosis. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until later in life when social settings and changes across development are more distinguished from other potential factors. Some people are not diagnosed until they are adolescents or adults. They have found ways to manage their experiences with less difficulty, although they may struggle more in adult relationships, independent living, and workplace environments.
At Complete Psychological Services in Calgary, our psychologist, Kari Buenfeld, is specialized in formal and thorough assessment for Autism and Spectrum related behaviours of all ages and is happy to help provide reliable assessment for your concerns. Using the “gold standard” assessment measures in the evaluation of autism spectrum disorders, the ADOS and ADI-R assessments are combined with a cognitive review and additional ratings. Diagnostic assessments like the ADOS and ADI-R in combination with other validated assessment tools can help to evaluate the presence of ASD and other developmental, behavioral, emotional, and attention deficit disorders through the most reliable diagnostic tests.
Know the early signs of ASD, review the recommended screening
The Adult Autism Spectrum Screening Tool (Ages 16+) from Autism Canada
It is important to note that children with ASD may not have all or any of the behaviors listed as examples. If you flagged concerns in each category, a consultation with a specialized psychologist is recommended to help learn more about these concerns. Contact us today. We are happy to discuss your concerns and inform you about more information and options available. Book a free consultation with Kari Buenfeld to discuss if an assessment is beneficial and what that individualized assessment process would include.
Diagnosing Attention related issues and Attention Deficit/ Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) can be simple or complex at any age. At Complete Psychological Services in Calgary, we know precisely how to assess these symptoms and thoroughly identify if symptoms related to ADHD or attention and arousal are related to other deeper root issues that look like ADHD. All factors and all possible areas related provide a comprehensive assessment that evaluates symptoms through multiple perspectives to prevent misdiagnosis.
Attention and hyperactive symptoms are usually diagnosed in childhood, although adults can be diagnosed as well. Undiagnosed attention and hyperactivity/impulsivity can cause many problems in learning, work, relationships, self-esteem, mental health, and daily functioning. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and impact is critical in wellness, accomplishments, and access to the various treatment and skill-building approaches to reach your true potential. At Complete Psychology, our ADHD assessments include a holistic perspective and have specific recommendations to help improve lagging skills that impede one’s functioning.
Are you questioning if ADHD is a factor impacting your goals or your child’s goals? Take this brief test to know more about the symptoms and arrange a quick consultation without charge to discuss the symptoms noted and recommendations.
SNAP-IV-26 childrens screening and the other adults screening
Early developmental assessments identify developmental delays in infants, preschool & early childhood. Assessment of Young Children from 10 months through 6-year-olds can identify possible delays in the following domains: cognition, communication, social-emotional development, physical development, and adaptive behavior.
Early Developmental screening takes a closer look at how your child is developing. Your child will get a brief test, or you will complete a questionnaire about your child. The tools used for developmental and behavioral screening are formal questionnaires or checklists based on research that ask questions about a child’s development, including language, movement, thinking, behavior, and emotions. Assessment may be appropriate if you or your doctor are concerned about delayed milestones in your child’s development.
A brief test using a screening tool does not provide a diagnosis. Still, it indicates if a child is on the proper development track or if a specialist should support early intervention. Early intervention is usually done by a trained specialist, such as a developmental paediatrician, child psychologist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or other specialists.
Are you questioning if early development is a factor impacting your child’s growth? Review this brief developmental chart to know more about specific skill development and arrange a quick consultation to discuss the symptoms and recommendations.
Know and monitor developmental milestones to recognize signs and concerns
Does your child have an extensive and detailed memory? Advanced vocabulary? Learn very quickly? Or an exceptional skill in one or more areas of knowledge or tasks? If you have wondered if your child is gifted or want your child to attend an advanced school or program for gifted children, you may be looking for an assessment to understand your child’s abilities better to help them reach their full potential.
A standardized set of tests is completed to determine whether a student may be eligible for identification and placement in a school program for gifted children. Programs in Calgary include the Gifted and Talented Education program (GATE – https://cbe.ab.ca/programs/supports-for-students/exceptional-and-special-needs/Pages/Giftedness.aspx) and the Westmount Charter School ( https://www.westmountcharter.com/). The assessment will also provide detailed information on how a child learns, their strengths and learning challenges, and how their specific learning profile can be best supported at home and school. The assessment process will be tailored to meet your child’s individual needs and your child’s school program requirements.
Assessment fees can vary across ages and depending on concerns presenting. Please get in touch with our clinic to discuss details for your child and the assessment options.
Are you interested in fully understanding how your or your child’s brain works? Psycho-educational assessments are for all ages and allow detailed knowledge about how the brain processes all forms of information, memory, speed, and how they impact how one learns or demonstrates their understanding. Psycho-ed’s are most valuable when attention or learning challenges present over a few years and struggles affect one’s knowledge and functioning.
When someone struggles with academics and learning in school or work, it is sometimes hard to know why or what to do. However, when not identified or addressed correctly, learning challenges can lead to increased frustration, anxiety, low mood, and self-esteem issues, and limited academic abilities across the lifespan.
A Psycho-educational Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation to provide detailed information on how the brain learns, strengths and learning challenges, and why someone is having difficulty at school or learning. Identifying someone’s specific learning profile leads to recommendations on how weaknesses can be targeted, build up, and best supports for home, school, and even work for adults. Assessments include a combination of direct standardized tests, observations of the individual, questionnaires, a review of background information, interviews with parents (for minors), and obtaining collateral information from teachers and other educational/health professionals. The purpose is to acquire a complete picture of functioning relating to school performance. The evaluation includes cognitive/intellectual functioning, academic skills, attention/concentration, executive functioning (e.g., planning, organization), fine motor abilities, social, emotional, and behavioural functioning, and adaptive functioning (daily life skills). In addition, the assessment may identify or diagnose learning difficulties/disabilities, intellectual delays, ADHD, or giftedness and provide recommendations on how to best support the individual’s unique learning profile. Typically, these assessment fees depend on the individuals age and the needs presenting which may alter the number of hours by 1-2+ hours. In most cases, a psycho-ed assessment can be between 1800 and up depending on the needs and abilities.
Post-secondary students who have been diagnosed with a disability may be able to apply for government grant money to cover up to $1,700 of the cost of a psycho-educational assessment and up to $2,000 per loan year to assist with education and living costs. Contact the Alberta government or discuss your assessment outcomes with your school’s academic advisor for more information on these funds.
Contact us today to discuss your questions regarding psycho-ed assessment or book online with our assessment psychologists Kari Buenfeld or Dr. Kent Tsang. Let us begin helping you know the details you desire.
Assessment and treatment of psychological distress and impairment associated with motor vehicle accidents
Individuals who experience a severe motor vehicle accident (MVA) are at increased risk for psychological problems, particularly Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, many victims of automobile accidents find it challenging to regulate their thoughts, feelings, mood, and behaviour following a collision. Many have problems with sleep, memory, attention, and concentration. They may be forgetful or internally preoccupied, phobic, and fearful. Children may exhibit additional symptoms including regression (e.g., decrease in previously mastered skills of independence, diminished resiliency and coping strategies, increased temper tantrums and meltdowns, insistence on sleeping with a parent, bedwetting), and school refusal. Car accident victims may try to cope with these symptoms by withdrawing from people and become more isolated and avoid many activities (e.g., driving, socializing, functioning well at school or work). If they were physically injured, acute pain and somatic complaints often make the psychological trauma of the accident even worse. These stressors include accident-related pain, job loss, financial difficulties, insurer concerns, and limitations in their ability to carry out their regular activities, such as household chores, parenting tasks, or social and recreational interests.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident and feel overwhelmed or under stress from your symptoms, you might benefit from a psychological assessment and treatment. You do not need a physician or insurer referral to access these services; however, many people discuss such a referral with their family doctor or legal representative.
If you require treatment for psychological symptoms resulting from an MVA you were involved in within the last two years, you may book online with Kari Buenfeld or Dr. Kent Tsang. Dr. Kent Tsang is bilingual and able to support most Asian-Speaking clients in assessment service. Please contact our clinic to discuss your concerns in more detail to assess if an assessment is appropriate.
