Opinion Piece: Access to Services - Psychoeducational Assessments

ASSESSMENTS

The only way to truly understand the needs of individuals with learning differences is through comprehensive assessment and clinical guidance.

At Little Oaks, we are extremely passionate about the topic of access to high quality, comprehensive assessments. We routinely advocate for the rights of clients and access to services (including often subsidizing our own assessments through internship and practicum programs in our clinics). The only way to truly understand the needs of individuals with learning differences is through comprehensive assessment and clinical guidance.

It is not simply about a diagnosis, per se, but identifying specific features or underlying causes for difficulties helps providers to intervene and support in an evidence-based and strategic manner that improves individual outcomes. So much can be gained from the fine details of a thorough assessment as we see this enable students to reach their potential. Response to Intervention (RTI) is another exceptional way to determine the areas of challenge for an individual when assessment is not yet accessible; however, to clearly identify the specific problem area and what strengths exist to create an individualised learning plan, we use cognitive assessments to provide extensive recommendations and guided plans for intervention.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

Response to Intervention (RTI) is another exceptional way to determine the areas of challenge for an individual when assessment is not yet accessible

As a large team of psychologists, at Little Oaks we have assessment contracts with three school divisions in and around Edmonton, and we work closely with specialized charter schools in the area who focus on learning disabilities and neurodiversity. We have extensive background with psycho-educational and psychological assessments both by training and field work across several settings. We also offer private assessments in house.

It can be challenging to balance the obvious needs in the community and the financial barriers with access to services. Limited resources in schools has made private means the only option for many; unfortunately, barriers with insurance and coverage also often impede lower income or uninsured families, creating inequities for access. At Little Oaks, we make a concerted effort to offer clinical assessment and treatment opportunities for lower income and marginalised groups through our internship programs, which allow us to offer reduced rates for all services when possible. Any service at Little Oaks, whether it is with a clinician in training or a seasoned clinician, is provided with the highest of quality and care. We have a small waitlist for reduced rate services but we are ever expanding to help serve our community as best we can.

Clinic Director, Larissa Predy, has been an advocate for access and services for over 20 years, with nearly 15 years as a school psychologist. In first half of her career, she spearheaded several activist agendas through specialized services in the school division in which she worked, and she continues to volunteer her time within the community offering workshops, trainings, presentations, and advocacy by any means possible. Her team at Little Oaks are similarly motivated and are specially selected for their energy and enthusiasm for this industry and constant professional development in evidence-based, client-centred care.

Written by: Larissa Predy, Little Oaks Psychology, Edmonton, Alberta