Helping You See the Whole Child. Not Just the Struggles.
If you’ve been walking the school system tightrope, trying strategy after strategy, and wondering why things still feel so hard — you’re not alone. Maybe your child’s backpack feels heavier than it should, or their spark feels buried under expectations and frustration. You’re here because you know there’s more to the story — and there is.
Because kids don’t come with manuals, and parenting doesn’t come with cheat codes. That’s where we step in — helping you uncover the why behind your child’s struggles and the how to move forward with confidence.
Assessments That Tell The Whole Story
Every child is different, and every assessment is too. Whether you’re here because of school struggles, questions about gifted programming, or private school entry, we’ll find the right fit. Our assessments look at cognitive, academic, social-emotional, attention, and executive functioning—because your child is more than just one test score.
Comprehensive Psych-ed Assessment
Includes testing of cognitive, academic, attention, executive functioning, and social-emotional skills — giving a complete picture of your child’s strengths and challenges.
Private School Assessment
Some Calgary private schools (such as Rundle, Foothills Academy, West Island College, Calgary Academy) require a psychological assessment as part of their admissions process. You’ll walk away with both the documentation schools need and practical insights to support your child’s success.
GATE Gifted Assessment
Cognitive and academic testing to identify gifted potential and provide insights for school placement and learning support.
Westmount Charter Gifted Assessment
Focused cognitive assessment (e.g., WISC-V, Stanford-Binet) designed to meet Westmount Charter School requirements and support your child’s application process.
Beyond Checklists and Labels
At Chickadee Psychology, we specialize in psychoeducational assessments that go beyond checklists and labels. Our work is rooted in understanding how your child learns, thinks, and feels — whether the questions are about ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, giftedness, or just wondering, “Is this normal?” Every assessment is designed to give you clear answers and practical next steps, so your child can thrive at school, at home, and in life.
Who You’ll Be Talking To
Raising kids comes with big joys and big challenges, and it can feel overwhelming to know when to reach out for help. That’s where we come in. At Chickadee Psychology, we combine deep clinical training, years of hands-on experience, and a warm, approachable style.
Our founder, Rachel Zylka, not only works with children and families but has also taught future psychologists at the University of Calgary on how to conduct assessments.
In other words, you’re in good hands.
Support That Starts With Connection
From the moment your child walks through the door, our goal is to make them feel comfortable, supported, and yes — even have a little fun along the way. With cozy spaces, built-in breaks, and prizes at the end, we know how to keep assessments child-friendly. We also take the time to connect with parents, teachers, and schools, so the picture we build of your child is as thorough as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve been Googling “psych-ed assessment Calgary” and feeling more confused than before, you’re not alone. Here are answers to the questions parents ask most often — the ones that help you feel prepared, supported, and ready to take the next step for your child.
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Experience You Can Trust: Our lead psychologist has worked in both Calgary school boards and spent years teaching at the University of Calgary, mentoring future psychologists on how to deliver top-notch assessments. In short? You’re in good hands.
Development Detective Skills: With a background in child development and two kids of my own, I get it—sometimes you’re wondering, “Is this normal?” or “Should I be worried?” I help you sort out what’s typical growing pains and what might need a closer look.
Beyond the Basics: We don’t stop at the surface. Our assessments include neuropsychological components to uncover markers for learning disabilities like dyslexia, so you get the full picture of how your child’s brain works.
Practical Tools, Not Just Fancy Words: What’s a great assessment without next steps? We translate findings into real-world strategies you can use to help your child thrive.
No Hidden Fees, No Surprises: Our assessments aren’t à la carte—they’re all-inclusive! You won’t be hit with surprise add-ons or “optional” extras. We believe clarity starts with transparency.
Insurance-Friendly Approach: We understand that navigating insurance can be tricky. That's why we work with you to optimize your benefits, ensuring you get the most out of your coverage without unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.
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A psychoeducational (psych-ed) assessment is a detailed evaluation that looks at your child’s learning profile, including areas like cognitive abilities, academic skills, memory, attention, and problem-solving. While the assessment can sometimes lead to a formal diagnosis (such as a learning disability, ADHD, or giftedness), that is not the end goal. The purpose is to understand your child’s unique strengths and challenges so that you have clear, practical recommendations to support their learning and well-being. In short, it takes the guesswork out of what’s going on at school and helps you know how best to support your child.
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Families often seek a psych-ed assessment when a child is struggling in school, seems bored despite strong abilities, has difficulty with focus, or teachers have noticed learning differences. It can provide clarity on whether challenges are related to a learning disability, ADHD, giftedness, or other factors.
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Yes. If your child struggles to focus, seems restless, or has trouble completing tasks—yet is bright and capable—they might be experiencing ADHD. At Chickadee Psychology, we look at the whole child to set them up for success, provide strategies to manage attention and executive function, and help school feel manageable and even enjoyable.
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Yes. A psych-ed assessment can identify gifted learning profiles. This information is often used for specialized programs such as Westmount Charter or the GATE Program.
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If your child is consistently working harder than peers but still falling behind in reading, writing, or math, a learning disability assessment (part of a psych-ed assessment) can help uncover the reasons and guide the right supports.
At Chickadee Psychology, we go beyond the basic academic tests used by many clinics. Our assessments dig deeper with neuropsychological testing to identify learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia—and even the specific subtypes—so you get the full picture, not just a label.
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While the cost of psychoeducational assessments in Calgary can vary greatly depending on the provider and assessment type, at Chickadee Psychology we value transparency. Our assessments are all-inclusive—no hidden add-ons or surprise fees. We bill at the recommended rate of $235/hour, which aligns with most insurance plans. Services provided by a Registered Psychologist (or Provisional Psychologist under supervision) are typically covered by extended health benefits.
Westmount Gifted Assessment: $1,175
GATE Assessment: $1,880
Comprehensive Psych-ed Assessment: $3,055
Private School Application Assessment: $3,055
We bill in stages as we go, and we’ll work with you to make the most of your insurance coverage.
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Yes! You’ll receive a detailed report with practical recommendations that can be shared with teachers, school staff, or private tutors. This helps ensure your child gets the right accommodations and support to thrive.
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We typically work with kids aged 6 to 18, when learning differences often start to show. Sessions are designed to be fun and low-pressure, with breaks, movement, and little rewards along the way—everything to help your child feel comfortable, engaged, and able to show what they can do.
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.