Business Details
11 Years
experience
Psychological Assessment Services for Children and Youth in BC
Okanagan Ability Centre is a private facility dedicated to providing comprehensive psychological assessment and diagnostic services for children and youth. Our team of doctoral and master's level psychologists and consultants specializes in evaluating developmental delays, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and social-emotional challenges. We collaborate with family physicians, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and school personnel to deliver tailored interventions and coordinated care. Our assessments follow provincial standards and include detailed recommendations to improve functioning across educational, social, and community settings.We are recognized by Community Living BC for adult assessments and maintain registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Our services include psychoeducational testing, ASD evaluations, and social-emotional assessments, with options for remote assessments for BC residents aged 6+. We prioritize timely diagnostic results, confidentiality, and collaboration with third-party funders when applicable.
Services
Psychoeducational Assessment
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments
Social-Emotional Assessment
Adult Community Services
Telephone Consultation
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- Registered psychologists with specialized training in child development
- Collaboration with community professionals for comprehensive care
- Tailored intervention recommendations based on diagnostic findings
- Timely diagnostic results and detailed written reports
- Recognized by Community Living BC for adult assessments
Services
Psychoeducational Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation of cognitive development and academic performance to diagnose learning disabilities and ADHD. Includes attention and executive functioning measures for children and youth. Provides actionable recommendations for educational interventions and accommodations.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments
Standardized assessments following provincial guidelines to determine autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Includes multi-disciplinary evaluation for children over 6 and meets requirements for government-funded services like CLBC eligibility documentation.
Social-Emotional Assessment
Evaluation of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning to address adjustment difficulties and coping challenges. Identifies support strategies for mental health concerns like anxiety and mood disorders in children and youth.
Adult Community Services
Cognitive and adaptive functioning assessments for adults seeking CLBC support eligibility. Includes documentation review and testing for intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders like fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Telephone Consultation
30-60 minute phone consultations with psychologists to discuss assessment needs and goals. Helps determine appropriate evaluation pathways before formal booking, with fees applied toward subsequent assessments.
People
Dr. Andrea Welder
Centre Director
Registered psychologist with expertise in child development and diagnostic assessments. Leads team of professionals providing specialized evaluations for learning and behavioral challenges.
Dr. Tavi Nicholson
Centre Director
Registered psychologist specializing in autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. Coordinates multidisciplinary assessments and collaborates with community healthcare providers.
Questions
Do I need a doctor's referral for services?
No referral is required, though some insurance plans may need one for reimbursement. Contact us directly to book assessments.
How are assessments billed and paid?
Payments accepted via e-transfer, cash, or cheque. Non-refundable booking fees apply, with final payments due before assessment dates.
Does insurance cover assessment costs?
Many extended health plans cover psychological services. We provide receipts for reimbursement but do not bill insurers directly.
What happens during an assessment?
Assessments include clinical interviews, standardized testing, and written reports with diagnoses and intervention recommendations. Parent consultations included for minors.
Are assessments confidential?
All information is confidential. Reports only shared with client consent, except for third-party funded assessments or legal requirements.
