Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

  • No. While many families are referred by a physician, pediatrician, or school, a referral isn't required. You're welcome to self-refer for any of our services, including psychoeducational assessments, gifted assessments, adult and child ADHD assessments, play therapy, or counselling.

  • A Registered Provisional Psychologist is someone who has completed their formal education in psychology and is in the process of gaining practical experience under supervision by a seasoned Registered Psychologist.

    Choosing a Registered Provisional Psychologist means you’ll benefit from the dual expertise: the fresh insights and committment to learning of a psychologist in training, paired with the oversight and experience of a Registered Psychologist!

  • If you email or call our office our office administrator will follow up to understand what you're looking for, answer any questions, and match you with the right clinician. From there, we'll send intake forms and book your first appointment.

    You can also book a free 15-minute consult with one of our psychologists to ask questions or book your appointment online here.

  • Yes, psychological services are typically covered under workplace insurance plans. We suggest checking coverage with your provider prior to booking.

  • We facilitate the insurance process by providing you with detailed receipts that you can submit to your provider for reimbursement.

  • Yes, in Alberta, both parents will need to provide consent for services. Don’t worry, if you provide contact information for your child’s other parent, we will reach out to them directly to go through the consent process.

Psychoeducational Assessment Questions

  • A psychoeducational assessment is a way to understand how your child learns and processes information. It looks at their thinking, learning, attention, and emotional skills to give you a clear picture of their strengths and areas where they may need extra support. The results can help you make informed decisions and give you practical strategies to help your child thrive at school and at home.

  • The assessment length varies depending on scheduling but typically takes between 6-8 weeks from start to finish.

  • When deciding between booking an ADHD assessment or a psychoeducational assessment for your child, it's important to consider the specific areas of concern you have.

    An ADHD assessment is focused on diagnosing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and examining symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

    On the other hand, a psychoeducational assessment provides a more comprehensive evaluation of your child's learning and cognitive abilities. This type of assessment can help identify learning disabilities, academic challenges, and other cognitive or emotional factors affecting your child's educational experience.

    If you have concerns about ADHD and other learning challenges, a psychoeducational assessment may be more appropriate.

    Feel free to reach out to our team at office@bluebirdpsychology.ca or book a free 15-minute phone consultation with one of our psychologists if you need further guidance or support!

  • All of our assessments begin with an intake meeting. This is where we talk about the reasons you are having the assessment done and the questions you’d like answered. We also review you or your child’s learning, medical, social, and emotional needs and history.

    Depending on the type of assessment, we may also ask you and your child’s teacher to fill out some questionnaires and review report cards.

    Your intake meeting may also be followed by at least two assessment sessions. During these appointments, we use standardized, evidence-based tools to measure different skills, such as cognitive abilities and academic skills.

    Once all of that is done, you meet with the psychologist to review results, discuss outcomes, and learn about next steps for support. You will also receive a written report that can you use as a guidebook for supporting your child.

  • Make sure your child is well-rested, has eaten a healthy meal beforehand, and bring any necessary items like glasses or medication information. We recommend describing the sessions as activities or puzzles that help us understand how they learn, rather than as a “test.” A comfort item can help younger children feel at ease. Children are also welcome to bring snacks and water to enjoy during testing breaks.

  • Yes. We conduct assessments to identify dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning disabilities, providing a diagnostic report along with recommendations for school accommodations and support.

Gifted Assessment Questions

  • Yes. Bluebird Psychology provides gifted assessments for families pursuing GATE or Westmount program placement, including cognitive and achievement testing that meets Calgary Board of Education / school division requirements.

  • "Westmount tests" typically refers to the cognitive assessment required for admission to Westmount Charter School's gifted program. Bluebird Psychology offers these assessments, which you can learn more about here.

  • Gifted assessments focus on cognitive ability (IQ) for program placement, while a full psychoeducational assessment also screens for learning disabilities, attention concerns, and other factors.

    A gifted assessment, otherwise known as a cognitive assessment, is one piece of the more comprehensive psychoeducational assessment process.

  • We recommend waiting until your child is at least 4 years old, if possible, to ensure that they have the focus needed to complete the assessment. However, we are able to assess children as young as 3 years of age.

  • Depending on your child’s age, we either use the WPPSI-IV (for children 5 and under) or the WISC-V (for children 6+).

  • A gifted assessment takes around 3 hours. You can read more about the assessment process here.

    You are welcome to book the appointment at any point in the year. If you are having the assessment done for a particular school application deadline, we recommend scheduling at least 2 weeks before the deadline to ensure you receive the report in time.

  • Yes. In line with Bluebird Psychology's strengths-based approach, every assessment gives you clarity on your child's cognitive profile, strengths, and areas for support, regardless of the outcome.

    If your child does meet the threshold, they may be "coded" as gifted and placed on an Individualized Program Plan (IPP) at school, formalizing access to enrichment opportunities.

    If they don't meet the cut-off, you still walk away with a clear picture of how they think, learn, and process information, along with practical, actionable recommendations you can use at home or share with their current school.

PDD/AISH Assessment Questions

  • Yes. Bluebird Psychology conducts assessments that can support PDD (Persons with Developmental Disabilities) and AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) applications in Alberta.

  • The assessment measures intellectual functioning (IQ) and adaptive functioning (i.e., your ability to manage daily life activities). It includes an intake meeting (in person or virtual) to review medical, developmental, and learning history, an in-person testing session to measure cognitive skills, rating scales to assess daily living abilities, and a feedback meeting (in person or virtual) to review results and discuss next steps. You'll receive a comprehensive written report that can be submitted as part of your PDD or AISH application.

  • The fee for a PDD/AISH assessment at Bluebird Psychology is $1,680. This may be partially or fully covered by your insurance provider, depending on your plan - we'd recommend checking with your provider ahead of booking.

  • Yes. The written report you receive is designed to be used as part of your PDD or AISH funding application, documenting both intellectual and adaptive functioning as required.