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Services
Calgary Learning Centre activities are designed to advance knowledge and improve services for people of all ages with learning problems which affect their social, emotional and intellectual development. People with learning difficulties often function normally in many areas. The learning problem may not become evident until the individual is placed in a specific learning situation. The learning problem may manifest itself in areas such as reading, mathematics or written language, and may be related to more general processes such as attention, memory or social skills.
The following information about Calgary Learning Centre Children Services will help to explain the steps involved in assessment/consultation services and answer some of your questions.
What is a Consultation?
School personnel often have considerable information about a student's strengths, areas of need and previous attempts to assist the child. However, the child may not be making the progress expected. Consultation with the Calgary Learning Centre staff involves problem-solving with teachers, parents and other professionals in order to share information about the child's needs, identify problem areas, generate potential solutions and monitor the outcomes. Depending on the problem identified, a consultation may, or may not, include an observation of the child in his or her classroom, minimal direct assessment of the child by Calgary Learning Centre staff and a feedback conference with the parents and school. A report describing the process is typically prepared. A consultation may range from 15 to 18 hours.
What is the Attention Clinic?
The Calgary Learning Centre's "Attention Clinic" has been developed to meet the needs of families of children/adolescents who have attentional difficulties and who face a unique set of problems, including academic, social/emotional and medical. Staff involved in the Attention Clinic include a consulting paediatrician and a psychologist or educational consultant.
Children/Adolescents are monitored through the clinic depending on their needs, for up to one year. Following this, families are referred back to their family physician for continued monitoring.
A diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, if made, is based on observation of the child/adolescent, information gathered from the family and school, an interview with the family as well as individual assessment. The Attention Clinic assessment process, without much additional learning assessment, is approximately 12 to 15 hours.
What is an Assessment?
Assessment is a problem-solving process in which information is gathered and interpreted to assist in meeting an individual's needs. For students encountering learning difficulties, assessment can help to understand the student's learning strengths and needs. The Calgary Learning Centre uses a multidisciplinary approach. This means that we can benefit from the expertise of many different professionals on staff, including psychologists, educators, paediatricians, a language specialist, an occupational therapist and a speech and language pathologist. A full assessment can range from 10 to 15 hours. Usually this time is spread over about 8 weeks.
What can I expect from an Assessment?
An assessment typically begins with a question or questions to be answered, such as, "Why does this student have difficulty reading?" Rather than trying to label the student, we try to find out his or her particular strengths and needs, ways in which he or she learns more effectively and strategies that may assist the student to perform better in school. An assessment may consist of several components, many of which are listed farther down below.
At the end of an assessment, parents receive a report outlining the information gathered, the student's strengths and needs and some recommendations for assisting the student. A clinician will discuss the results with the parents. Once parents have reviewed this information and read the report, they are asked to sign a release form so that the information may be shared with the school and other individuals or agencies who work with the student. A feedback conference may be set up with the parents, school personnel and other appropriate individuals to provide information and discuss recommendations. Older students may also be invited to participate in the conference. After the conference, a final report will be prepared and mailed out to the parents and appropriate individuals.
What are the steps in the Assessment process?
A series of forms need to be filled out and returned to the Calgary Learning Centre. If the referral is for a student in school, an educational history form is to be completed by school personnel. The school may return the forms directly to the Calgary Learning Centre, or you may send them back with your completed forms.
Once we have received all the forms and relevant documentation, a file will be completed and your case will be placed on our waiting list.
An Assessment or Attention Clinic usually follows this schedule:
School Observation
If required, a clinician will go to the school to observe your child within his/her own environment.Information Gathering
We may need to talk to you, your child’s teacher and any other professionals who are currently working with your child or have worked with your child in the past.Initial Interview
This is an opportunity for you to meet with the clinician and discuss your child’s developmental, medical and academic histories as well as your observations and concerns.Testing
If testing is applicable to your case, the requirements are determined by the assessment question that was initially established.Attention Clinic
If this service is required, two clinicians may be working on your case at the same time, one with the parent and one with the child.Test Scoring and Interpretation
The amount of time for scoring and interpretation of tests varies dependant on which tests were administered.Report Writing
A written report is a valuable tool to parents, teachers and helping professionals who may work with your child in the future. Legally there must be a record of the service provided to your child.Parent Feedback Session
This is an opportunity for the parents to hear the results of the assessment, read a draft of the report and to ask questions and clarify information.School Feedback
The parents and school personnel will meet with the clinician to discuss the assessment results and possible intervention for the student.
A key clinician is assigned to your case, and you are contacted with an estimate of hours the required service may take, as well as who the clinician will be. The clinician will then contact you and arrange an appointment for services to begin.
Once the service and the written report have been completed, you will meet with the key clinician in a feedback conference to share the results and address areas of concern.
What is the payment policy?
The Calgary Learning Centre offers a variety of services, including consultation, assessment, counselling and programs. You will be asked to pay for service following each visit to the Calgary Learning Centre (cash, cheque, debit, Visa and MasterCard accepted). The fees for school observation, test scoring and report writing, if applicable to your case, are part of the assessment time and will be charged to you as they are completed.
Please be aware that there may be more than one clinician working on your case at one time. In that situation (i.e., one person working with the parent), each clinician’s time is charged separately. The fee for service per hour is $170.
Insurance
The professions involved and the services recommended are based on the client’s individual needs and may or may not be covered by your insurance plan. Insurance coverage is your responsibility.Payment Plans
A payment plan consisting of a set amount to be paid monthly using post-dated cheques or Visa slips may be arranged upon request before service begins.Financial Assistance
The Calgary Learning Centre is very fortunate to be able to make financial assistance available to clients living in the city of Calgary, through a financial assistance fund. This fund receives support through corporate and community donations to the Dr. Marilyn Samuels Financial Fund.If assistance is required, a financial application form must be completed for review before service begins.
The following costs are not covered within the initial estimated time. If these costs occur, parents are expected to pay them directly.
Service Fee NSF cheques - $25
Additional reports (requested by client after completion of service) - $10 each
Long distance call(s) for information gathering purposes - Actual cost
Photocopying of additional resources - .20¢ per page
Missed appointment not cancelled 24 hours in advance - $170Cancellation Policy
You should be aware that 24 hours is needed to cancel appointments. Otherwise, a cancellation fee of $170 will be charged to you for this time. This policy will be evaluated in cases of sudden illness or emergency.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Child Intake Services at 686.9300 or by email.