At RMPS, we offer a wide variety of psychological assessments such as psychoeducational, attention and emotional, behavioural and developmental assessments. Regardless of the type of assessment, the goal is always to better understand the individual, and then use that information to develop a plan for improved functioning. Assessments are a formal way of measuring how well a person is functioning compared to others their age. It can zero-in on how a person’s brain works and how this may be affecting their overall functioning.
Assessments are often requested to assist with concerns related to school, but assessments can also be used to shed light on behavioural, emotional or relational problems that are impacting the person in the home environment or in other settings such as clubs, sports etc. To ensure accuracy in diagnosis, lots of information is gathered during the assessment and may include (depending on the assessment plan and purpose of the assessment): standardized test results, clinical observations, questionnaires completed by various people from various contexts in the individual’s life, and interviews with people who know the person well.
When a student is designated as a student who is “gifted and talented” by Alberta Learning, they qualify for individualized program plan (IPP) and are said to have a “code” (Code 80). Alberta Learning uses codes to identify students who require individualized program plans in order to meet their needs. In order to identify students who are intellectually gifted and talented, standardized testing can be completed by a psychologist. This includes intelligence tests and some programs also require individualized academic achievement tests.
At RMPS, we are fully aware of the Alberta Learning requirements for students who may be applying for Code 80 (Gifted and Talented) and we also ensure that our assessments will meet requirements for applications to programs such as GATE and Westmount Charter School.
Sometimes parents, teachers, medical doctors or others may suspect that a child is not developing at the same rate as his or her peers. Or, for adults, it may be suspected that the person is struggling with social interactions or relationships, having difficulties with managing adult responsibilities such as job or finances to the same extent as other adults. A developmental assessment is designed to help understand how a person is progressing with respect to cognitive, social/emotional, and behavioural functioning.
Developmental Assessments can identify:
*Autism or social interaction challenges
*Intellectual challenges
*Difficulties with managing adult responsibilities (ability to financially support oneself, decision-making capacity, or independent living).
The age at which it is appropriate for a child to complete an assessment varies by referral issue and the purpose of the assessment. For instance, some programs require assessments for entry (e.g., Westmount Charter School, Program Unit Funding, Family Supports for Children with Disabilities). Schools typically require assessments in order to create Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) when a child is needing additional support or enrichment. If a child is struggling at school, an assessment can be appropriate at any time from preschool through high school or beyond.
Therefore, it is not a child’s age that determines whether an assessment is appropriate. Instead, it is whether the information from completing an assessment would be helpful and beneficial to the child’s life and functioning. If you are unsure whether your child may benefit from an assessment, you could book a consultation with one of our psychologists to discuss your concerns and determine whether an assessment would meet your child’s needs.
Raquel is an Office Administrator at RMPS. Back in Brazil, her home country, she graduated as a Psychologist and worked as a clinician for the past 5 years. Although she loved working with children and adults, she discovered a new passion: manage the administrative tasks that keep the business running.
As someone who is passionate about learning new things and developing new skills, with the career transition also came the decision to live abroad and explore a new culture. To serve empathetically and connect with people is Raquel’s main personal and professional goal.
Amanda is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Amanda earned her doctoral degree in Psychology at Brock University in Ontario in 2017, with a specialization in developmental psychology. Amanda provides formal assessment services at RMPS.
Since 2009, Amanda has received formal training and work experience in private practice settings in conducting psycho-educational assessments for students ranging from preschool through university. Amanda is skilled at test administration, interpretation of data, and report writing for various referral questions including ADHD, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Giftedness, and Intellectual Disabilities. Amanda enjoys working with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds, and she tries to make the testing environment feel relaxed and comfortable while maintaining integrity in testing protocol.
Zara is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Calgary and her Graduate Diploma in Psychological Assessment at Concordia University of Edmonton.
Zara has spent over five years working alongside children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings. These include public and private schools, in-home support, residential programs, early-intervention programs, and non-profit organizations. Currently, Zara is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team. As a lifelong learner, Zara plans to go back to graduate school and eventually become a psychologist one day.