Gifted Assessment · Ages 6 to 16
Gifted Assessments in Calgary
If your child learns quickly, thinks deeply and needs more challenge than the classroom gives, a gifted assessment gives you the scores gifted programs ask for, and a fuller picture of how your child thinks.
At a glance
Who it is for
Children ages 6 to 16
Time with us
About 3 hours over 3 visits
You receive
A written report and a feedback meeting
Where
In person at our Calgary office
Is this assessment for you?
Families usually come to us for one of these reasons:
- Your child is applying to Westmount Charter School or a school GATE program
- They learned to read early or ask questions far beyond their age
- They seem bored or restless with work that is too easy
- They are intensely curious about particular topics
- You want to understand a gap between ability and grades
If grades or learning are a worry as well, a psychoeducational assessment may answer more of your questions.
What your results can help with
Program applications
Full Scale IQ and General Ability Index scores for gifted program applications.
Understanding your child
A picture of their reasoning, memory and processing strengths.
Supporting them
Ideas for enrichment and challenge at home and at school.
An assessment can be an important first step, but support doesn’t have to end with the report. Depending on your findings and recommendations, our team can help you explore counselling, therapeutic groups, or other appropriate supports at Your Counselling. Any additional services are optional and arranged separately.
How it works
Our psychologists use evidence-informed assessment methods, standardized measures, and recognized diagnostic criteria, where appropriate. Every assessment follows the same clear path, so you always know what comes next.
- Send a requestFill out a short form about you or your child and what you are hoping to learn. Sending it does not book anything or commit you.About 5 minutes, online
- We review and replyOur intake team reviews your request with your psychologist, confirms the right assessment and fee, and contacts you to book your first appointment.By phone or email
- Parent intakeA short conversation about your child, their interests and the program you are applying to.About 30 minutes
- Cognitive testingOne relaxed session of puzzles, questions and activities with your child.About 2 hours
- Feedback meetingWe go through the scores and what they mean for your child, before the report is written.About 30 minutes, in person or online
- Your written reportYour child’s scores, what they mean, and recommendations, reviewed and signed by a Registered Psychologist.Usually about 2 weeks after the feedback meeting
Your fee, everything included
Gifted Assessment
$1,100
One flat fee, everything included.
Everything included
- Parent intake
- Cognitive testing
- Scoring and interpretation
- Feedback meeting
- Written report with Full Scale IQ, General Ability Index and recommendations, whatever the results
Scores-only option: if testing shows your child does not meet gifted criteria and you do not need a full report, you can choose a one-page score summary letter instead, and the fee is $650. We explain both options at your intake, before testing begins, and you decide at the feedback meeting.
Common questions
Which gifted programs is this for?
Families most often come to us for Westmount Charter School and school GATE program applications. Criteria and deadlines change, so check your program’s current requirements before booking.
What age should my child be?
We assess children ages 6 to 16.
What if my child does not meet the criteria?
The $1,100 fee includes a full written report whatever the results, and many families find it useful for school planning. If you do not need a full report, you can choose a one-page score summary letter instead, for $650. Either way, we talk through your child’s results with you at the feedback meeting first.
How do I prepare my child?
Describe it as puzzles and activities. Children do their best when they are rested, fed and relaxed, so morning appointments often work well.
Can we retest later?
Cognitive tests usually should not be repeated within 12 months, so time the assessment with your program’s application dates.
Can a doctor, therapist or school refer me?
Yes. Professionals can refer through our referral form, or you can reach out yourself. With your consent, we can share your report and recommendations with the person who referred you, so everyone supporting you is working from the same picture.
Is it covered by insurance?
Some extended health insurance plans provide coverage for psychological assessments. Coverage varies depending on the insurer, the type of assessment, and the provider’s registration. We recommend confirming your assessment coverage and any benefit limits before booking. We provide detailed receipts for your claim.
Who completes your assessment
Assessments are completed by psychologists registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Testing happens in person at our Calgary office, at a comfortable pace with breaks whenever you need them.
Aiyman Vassanji, M.C.P.
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Completes ADHD, psychoeducational, gifted, diagnostic mental health and cognitive assessments for children, teens and adults, from your intake appointment through testing, your report and your feedback meeting.
Assessment areas: attention and executive functioning, learning and cognitive abilities, giftedness, mood and anxiety, and intellectual and adaptive functioning.
Susan J. Morison, M.A.
Registered Psychologist · Clinical supervisor
A Registered Psychologist specializing in clinical and forensic psychology, with a long career in generalized and specialized psychological assessment.
Supervises our assessment service, and reviews and signs every assessment report.
About provisional registration. A Registered Provisional Psychologist has completed graduate training in psychology and is completing a period of supervised practice, as the College of Alberta Psychologists requires before full registration. Assessments completed by a Registered Provisional Psychologist are supervised by a Registered Psychologist, who reviews and signs the report.
Paying for your assessment
One flat fee covers your intake, testing, scoring, written report and feedback meeting.
Extended health insurance
Some extended health insurance plans provide coverage for psychological assessments. Coverage varies depending on the insurer, the type of assessment, and the provider’s registration. We recommend confirming your assessment coverage and any benefit limits before booking.
Alberta Student Aid
Eligible post-secondary students may qualify for reimbursement of psychological assessment costs through Alberta Student Aid’s disability-related funding programs. Reimbursement amounts and eligibility depend on the applicable grant, assessment findings, and program requirements. We encourage students to confirm their eligibility before booking. Alberta Student Aid: assessment reimbursement
Medical expense tax credit
Psychological assessment fees may qualify as eligible medical expenses for income tax purposes. Eligibility depends on Canada Revenue Agency requirements and your individual tax circumstances.
If cost is a barrier
Let us know in your request, and we will talk through your options with you.
Other assessments we offer
Not sure which assessment fits? See all assessments, or choose “Not sure yet” on the request form.
Psychoeducational Assessment
A full picture of how you or your child learns, for school supports, post-secondary accommodations and Student Aid.
ADHD Assessment for Children and Teens
For parents noticing focus, impulsivity or school struggles that effort alone has not solved.
ADHD Assessment for Adults
For adults who have always wondered whether attention, focus or restlessness has a name.
Request an assessment
Tell us about you or your child and what you are hoping to learn. Our intake team reviews every request with your psychologist and will be in touch about next steps. Sending a request does not commit you to anything.
Questions first? Call 403-668-7561 or email hello@yourcounselling.ca. Physicians, therapists and schools can refer through our professional referral form.