Formal assessments can help to identify your strengths and weaknesses and provide a clearer path forward for your mental health care. Insight’s trained therapists provide assessments that assist individuals of all ages to improve their lives. Assessments are helpful in identifying your levels of symptoms objectively. While assessments can vary from individual to individual, most times they include testing, interviews, observation, and consultation with one of Insight’s trained professionals. Many of these assessments can be done as part of therapy but some may require a higher level of formality depending on the level of need and purpose of the assessment.
What is a gifted/intellectually advanced assessment?
Insight has been performing psychoeducational assessments for more than twenty years for both private and school divisions. Our psychologists regularly complete assessments for gifted educational programs as many children may require, and benefit from, specialized programming to help supplement or enhance their academic, social, and emotional needs. Some schools provide specialized programming and require independent intellectual assessments to confirm a student’s advanced intellectual or academic skills.
Why is the assessment used?
Insight’s gifted/intellectually advanced assessments can provide a level of comprehensive information and recommendations which parents and educators can use to make informed educational decisions for their children and get in-school support and additional resources, allowing children to ultimately reach their full potential. Our debrief and final report ultimately provides a parent with all of the information necessary for their application to any particular gifted program or educational planning decisions.
The assessment process
The most common tests used to assess these intellectual skills are the WISC-V or the WPPSI-IV. However, we do have additional intellectual testing options which can include the Woodcock-Johnson assessment system. Additionally, some schools require an academic evaluation which can also include the WIAT-III or the KTEA, all which Insight possesses and regularly use.
Specific programs
In Calgary we have done work for entrance into both Westmount Charter School and the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programs. In the Edmonton area we have done assessments for the Buffalo Trails School Division, for the Edmonton Public School Board on a private basis, and New Horizons gifted program.
CALGARY AREA
- If you are applying to the Westmount Charter School, please schedule your child’s assessment between September and early November. This will allow enough time prior to the application deadline.
- If you are applying for the Gifted and Talented Education program, please schedule the testing between September and January. This will allow for completion of everything in time for the application deadline.
EDMONTON AREA
- If you are applying to the New Horizons program, please visit their website to learn about application deadlines and the best times to start assessments at Insight.
To learn more about these assessments, please contact us.
