PDD / AISH Assessments
What is a PDD/AISH Assessment?
In Alberta, PDD/AISH assessments (Persons with Developmental Disabilities/Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) play a vital role in connecting individuals with the support and financial assistance they need. We provide thorough and personalized assessments to help families understand their eligibility and prepare for applications, ensuring access to essential programs and resources tailored to their unique circumstances. Let us assist you in navigating the system and securing the support you or your loved ones deserve.
During the PDD/AISH assessment process, individuals participate in a series of tailored activities designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of their unique strengths and areas of need across three key domains: cognitive functioning, adaptive skills, and overall well-being. These activities are thoughtfully structured to evaluate how the individual functions relative to others in similar circumstances, offering valuable insights into their abilities and support requirements to ensure appropriate resources and services are identified.
In a PDD/AISH assessment, we evaluate key areas to gain a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s needs and strengths. In the cognitive domain, we assess how they think, reason, and solve problems—essential skills that influence everyday functioning and adaptability. For adaptive skills, we focus on their ability to manage daily tasks, make decisions, and maintain independence. Additionally, we explore their overall well-being, examining how they handle emotions, navigate relationships, and cope with challenges.
The ultimate goal of this assessment is to provide a detailed profile that highlights strengths and identifies areas where support is needed. From there, we develop personalized recommendations to help the individual thrive in their daily life, fostering greater independence and well-being. These findings are compiled into a comprehensive report, which can be used to access resources and programs tailored to their unique needs.
Does my child need a PDD / AISH Assessment?
Does your child face challenges with daily functioning, social interactions, or managing tasks independently? Have teachers, caregivers, or professionals expressed concerns about their development or ability to adapt to their environment?
- These may be signs that your child could benefit from a PDD/AISH assessment. Unlike temporary developmental delays, persistent difficulties in cognitive abilities, adaptive functioning, or social-emotional well-being often indicate the need for further evaluation. If your child struggles with skills necessary for independence or has ongoing challenges despite support or interventions, a comprehensive assessment can provide valuable insights.
- Families often choose to pursue a PDD/AISH assessment to better understand their child’s abilities and needs, especially when there are concerns about developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, or the impact of neurodiverse conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD. The assessment can also help determine eligibility for programs and resources that provide crucial support, ensuring your child receives the assistance they need to thrive.
The first step is to schedule an intake meeting, where we can learn about the goals you would like to achieve for your child. We will then be able to customize an assessment best suited for your family.
At our teaching clinic, we are dedicated to delivering comprehensive and personalized assessments for your child, ensuring you receive the highest quality care while offering flexible options. Our team includes both registered psychologists and provisional psychologists, providing families the ability to choose the service that best fits their needs. Provisional psychologists are highly trained professionals working toward full licensure under the direct supervision of an experienced registered psychologist. Families may opt to work with a provisional psychologist for several reasons, including shorter wait times, reduced costs, and the added benefit of thorough oversight from their supervising psychologist. This ensures that every aspect of the assessment meets rigorous professional standards.
Our collaborative approach is designed to provide accurate, high-quality evaluations while creating a comfortable and supportive experience for your child. By offering families the flexibility to choose between registered and provisional psychologists, we aim to meet a variety of needs, timelines, and budgets, empowering you to make the best choice for your family.
“Our goal, with each family, is to ensure that you walk away with a thorough understanding of how to best support yourself and those you love”
Did that answer your questions about PDD/AISH assessments?
Great, let’s get started! The first step is booking an intake session. At that time, you can share your concerns and goals. You can ask questions about the process and the Psychologist can begin to gather information. You can also feel free to reach out via email sheri@calgarypsychservices.com or book online now.
If you have further questions or concerns, feel free to email us at sheri@calgarypsychservices.com. We are usually pretty quick to respond!
