Clinical Assessments

 

Creative Sky Psychology conducts clinical assessments for individuals of all ages. Clinical Assessments involve diagnosing through standardized assessment measures and an in-depth clinical interview. As symptoms of conditions often overlap, or present in a similar way, a clinical assessment can help determine the primary concern. Clinical assessments can be useful for treatment planning and tailoring intervention towards the underlying issue. Clinical interviews often involve investigating current and historical symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and overall functioning. Creative Sky Psychology does not require a client to undergo an assessment or have a diagnosis to begin treatment. Often clients who are looking for an assessment have a specific reason; such as wanting personal clarification, school or university accommodations, as well as applying for additional support such as FSCD funding. A Clinical Assessment can help individuals better understand their functioning and the psychological, physical, or emotional impact. Clinical Assessments at Creative Sky follow with a debrief session in which your Psychologist will provide a written report and collaborative treatment recommendations. 

 

Psychoeducational Assessments

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A psychoeducational assessment helps determine an individual’s unique learning strengths and challenges. Assessments can be a helpful tool for individual’s experiencing difficulties in school, attention and focus challenges, or behavioural concerns. Academic, learning, and attention issues often manifest in behaviours that do not match the underlying issue. Psychoeducational assessments can be a part of the detective work to help understand an individual’s needs and direct intervention and supports. Psychoeducational assessments are typically conducted to determine an individual’s learning strengths and weaknesses. Psychoeducational assessments assess a child’s learning abilities in several areas including working memory, processing speed, verbal domains, and problem solving. A psycho-educational assessment has two core areas, the cognitive assessment and an academic assessment. If there are concerns related to behaviour that are impacting school performance, such as anxiety, executive functioning skills, and sensory processing challenges, additional exploration of those difficulties may be completed using online questionnaires. 

 

Direct assessment is typically approximately 2.5 hours for the WISC-V, and 2.5 hours for the WIAT depending on the individual and the need for breaks etc. Testing sessions are conducted over two different appointments, and a debrief session is provided once a full report has been written. 

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessments

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Creative Sky Psychology conducts ASD assessments using the recommended, gold standard measures. Additional observations are often a part of the assessment if needed. As part of the assessment, additional clinical measures may be given to determine if comorbid symptoms are impacting the individual, as well as adaptive or cognitive functioning when needed. ASD assessments are completed in a very thorough manner at Creative Sky Psychology and may include the following measures.

 

• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition (ADOS-2). The ADOS-2 is a semi structured assessment and observation of an individuals social communication, interaction style,  and imaginative skills. Activities that are introduced as part of the assessment vary according to an individual's language level and age. Parents are often present for this assessment with young children.  

• Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R). The ADI-R is a detailed clinical interview that gathers historical and current information related to development and the DSM-V diagnostic criteria. This interview typically lasts 2 to 3 hours. 

• The NEPSY-II. - The NEPSY-II is a neuropsychological assessment that is used to further investigate areas of impact that individuals with ASD may experience including language, executive functioning, memory and learning, social perception, visuospatial processing, and sensorimotor abilities. 

• Questionnaires – Additional information is often obtained from teachers and parents on specific areas of challenge. Areas measured may include Sensory Processing, Executive Functioning, Adaptive Functioning, and additional clinical measures depending on presenting concerns. 

 

An assessment is an important part of investigating diagnostics, intervention strategies, and educational recommendations. ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition and treatment should be tailored towards the greatest impact of functioning, at the appropriate developmental level. This may involve a mix of Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Psychology services to support sensory processing difficulties, social communication abilities, flexibility, and/or clinical challenges. Strength-based intervention is key to growth and involves a tailored approach towards a child’s interests, learning preferences, and developmental level in the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social realm. An assessment can identify and help with such treatment. In order for interventions to be put into place, an assessment can also help with accessing additional services such as FSCD and PUF. 

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