Child ADHD Assessments in Calgary

If your child is bright and capable but has trouble focusing, staying organized, or finishing tasks, you might be considering an ADHD assessment. At Chickadee Psychology, we help families untangle whether attention challenges are related to ADHD, learning differences, or simply how your child’s brain is wired.

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What is ADHD (and what it isn’t)?

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a brain-based difference in how children regulate attention, activity level, and impulses. Children with ADHD may:

  • Have trouble staying focused on tasks that don’t interest them

  • Struggle with organization or remembering instructions

  • Seem constantly on the go, or the opposite: quiet and daydreamy

  • Find it harder to manage emotions in the moment

ADHD is not the result of poor parenting, laziness, or a lack of intelligence. Many children with ADHD are bright, creative, and resourceful. Their brains simply work differently when it comes to focus, planning, and self-control.

Because the signs of ADHD can overlap with other issues, like anxiety, learning differences, or even giftedness, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. A comprehensive ADHD assessment helps us sort out what’s really going on and what supports will actually help.

ADHD explained: A 28-minute primer

ADHD is often talked about, but not always explained in a way that feels clear and helpful. In this 28-minute video, Dr. Tom Brown walks through what ADHD really means, offering insights that are both easy to understand and practical for families.

Common Questions About ADHD Assessments

  • No. Some children’s attention challenges are linked to learning disabilities, anxiety, or even simple boredom. It’s also important to remember that short attention spans can be perfectly age-appropriate - what’s expected of a 6-year-old is very different from a 12-year-old. Environment matters too; a child may focus beautifully when building Lego but drift off during worksheets. That’s why a comprehensive assessment is so valuable. It helps us sort out whether your child’s inattention is a sign of ADHD or part of typical development, learning differences, or other factors.

  • We hear this concern often. The purpose of an assessment is not to “label” your child, but to provide clarity and open doors to support. Without answers, children may internalize the idea that they are “not smart enough” or “just bad at school,” which can lead to shame, anxiety, or low self-esteem. A correct diagnosis, when appropriate, can be empowering. It gives meaning to the struggles and helps your child feel understood while guiding strategies that reduce stress at school and home.

    With a private psychoeducational assessment, you remain in control. Parents choose how, when, and whether to share results with the school. The focus is always on helping your child thrive, not on placing limits.

  • This is more common than many people realize. Some children are “twice-exceptional” (2e), meaning they’re gifted and also have ADHD or a learning difference. Our assessments are designed to capture the full picture, both strengths and challenges, so your child isn’t overlooked or misunderstood.

    For more information see our blog post on ADHD and giftedness:

    ADHD and Giftedness in Children: Understanding Twice-Exceptionality (2e)

  • Yes. Girls with ADHD are often overlooked because their challenges can look different. Instead of being disruptive, they may appear dreamy, anxious, or overly social. We pay close attention to these differences so that girls are not missed or misunderstood.

    For more information on ADHD in girls, see our blog post:

    ADHD in Girls: What Parents Need to Know

  • We don’t prescribe medication, but our assessments can provide the information your physician or pediatrician needs if your family is considering that option.

    Choosing whether to use medication is a personal decision that families make together, and you’ll never feel pressured one way or the other. Many children benefit from a combination of strategies, and we’ll make sure you leave with a range of practical, non-medication supports as well.

    Our goal is to give you clear information, explore all options, and support your child no matter which path you choose.

  • From intake to feedback meeting, most families complete the process within 4-6 weeks.

  • Our assessments are billed at $235/hour. Many insurance plans cover part or all of the cost under psychological services.

  • Attention difficulties can arise from many different sources. Sometimes ADHD is the cause, but challenges with focus may also be linked to learning disabilities, anxiety, giftedness, or even boredom in the classroom. A thorough psychoeducational assessment allows us to tease apart these possibilities.

    Rather than relying only on checklists or quick interviews, our assessments combine parent input, teacher feedback, cognitive testing, and academic measures. This gives us a full understanding of how your child learns, thinks, and manages daily demands. The result is clear guidance, tailored strategies, and support that actually works.

Assessments That Tell The Whole Story

At Chickadee Psychology, an ADHD assessment is always part of a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment. We go deeper than interviews and questionnaires, because attention concerns can look different depending on the child. Our process helps untangle these pieces so you walk away with clear answers and practical next steps that reflect your child’s full story.

Comprehensive ADHD Assessment

A comprehensive psychoeducational assessment shows how your child thinks, learns, and navigates school and daily life. Most importantly, it answers the questions parents often have:

  • Does my child have a learning difference, ADHD, or another challenge?

  • What are their strengths, and how can we build on them?

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of your child’s profile, with practical strategies and guidance to help them thrive at home and at school.

    • Step 1: Parent Intake Meeting (1 hour, online)

      A convenient and secure online video call where we learn more about your child’s strengths, challenges, and experiences.

    • Step 2: Cognitive Assessment (child, in-person, ~2 hours)

      A one-on-one session using the WISC-V to explore how your child learns and solves problems.

    • Step 3: Academic & Functional Assessment (~2.5 hours, in-person)

      During this session, we assess your child’s academic skills and conduct a child-friendly interview to gather information about social-emotional functioning, attention, and executive skills. The focus of this session can be tailored to your specific assessment questions.

    • Step 4: Teacher Interview

      We gather insights from your child’s teacher(s) to understand how they are performing and functioning at school.

    • Step 5: Report

      You’ll receive a detailed, plain-language report outlining your child’s results, strengths, and recommendations for school supports.

    • Step 4: Parent Feedback Meeting (1 hour, online)

      We’ll walk through the results together, answer your questions, and discuss practical next steps.

  • Children with school struggles, suspected learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), ADHD, anxiety, or when parents just want the full picture.

  • $3055

    Billed at the Alberta College of Psychologists recommended rate of $235/hour. Sessions are billed as we go, not all at once, and we work with you to optimize insurance coverage whenever possible.

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What Families Are Saying

“I was worried he’d think of it as a big scary test, but he came out saying it was fun. The breaks, games, and prizes made such a difference. It didn’t feel clinical at all, which was such a relief.”

“Rachel helped us figure out what to ask for at school and even supported us with the Disability Tax Credit forms. I didn’t expect that kind of follow-up, and it made a huge difference for our family.

“When Rachel found out my daughter loved fairies, she brought that into the activities. It sounds small, but it made my daughter feel seen and comfortable. That’s not something you get everywhere.”

Let’s Figure this Out Together!

Have questions? Want to start the assessment process? Or just curious about how we can help your child? Drop me a message below, and I’ll personally respond. No bots, no forms lost in cyberspace. We can even set up a free 20-minute consultation to talk through your options.