Psychological Assessment for AISH and PDD Applications
Applying for disability supports in Alberta usually means showing, on paper, how a disability affects daily life. An AISH and PDD assessment is a psychological evaluation that does this clearly. It measures intellectual functioning and everyday adaptive skills, then presents the results in a written report you can use as supporting documentation.
At Constellation Psychology in Calgary, Registered Psychologists Sarra Wong, M.Ed., and Sharon Blott complete these assessments for teens approaching adulthood and for adults. Sharon has been registered in Alberta since 2001 and previously managed assessment services at Foothills Academy. Sarra trained in school and applied child psychology at the University of Calgary and spent years supporting families through FSCD and PUF programs.
We are an assessment-only practice. Our role is to provide clear, evidence-based findings, and the Government of Alberta makes the final eligibility decision.
PDD Assessment in Alberta: What the Program Requires
The Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program helps eligible adults plan and access supports so they can live as independently as possible in their community. A PDD assessment is the psychological report the program asks for. Alberta describes it as an assessment completed by a registered psychologist, and it may be called a Psychological Assessment Report, Psycho-Educational Assessment, or Neuropsychological Assessment.
A few requirements shape when and how to start:
- Age: you can apply at 16, and services begin at 18. Starting early helps families avoid gaps in the move from school to adult supports.
- Onset: the developmental disability must have been present before age 18.
- Decision: a PDD caseworker reviews your application and documents, then determines eligibility.
Our assessment gives the caseworker a clear picture of both intellectual and adaptive functioning, the two areas the program looks at most closely.
AISH and ADAP Assessment: What Changed in 2026
Alberta changed its disability income programs this summer. The Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) launched on July 2, 2026 alongside AISH, and there is now a single combined application for both. Applicants are reviewed and placed in the program that fits their circumstances. AISH continues for people assessed as permanently unable to work, while ADAP is designed for people with some capacity to work.
The application has two parts: a form completed by the applicant, and a medical report completed by a registered medical professional. Psychological assessment results can serve as supporting documentation, especially when the disability is developmental. Alberta also keeps people with a severe or profound developmental disability, or who are eligible for or receiving PDD services, on AISH, so the same findings are often relevant to both programs.
Requirements can change, so confirm current details on Alberta.ca or with your caseworker before you apply. To see the full range of testing we offer for disability services, visit our cognitive assessment for disability services page.
What Your AISH & PDD Assessment Includes
Intake and history review
Cognitive testing
Adaptive functioning
Written report and feedback meeting
AISH and PDD Assessment Cost in Calgary
The cognitive assessment for PDD and AISH is a flat fee of $1,645 and takes approximately 7 hours across testing, scoring, and report preparation. The hours are an estimate, and we confirm costs with you at intake. Our fees follow the Psychologists' Association of Alberta fee schedule of $235 per hour, and any extra time for forms or letters is billed in 15-minute increments. You can see every assessment on our fees page.
Our services typically fall under Paramedical Services in extended health benefit plans, and we offer direct billing to most major insurers. Coverage varies by plan, so confirm yours with your provider before booking. Not sure where to start? Call 403-612-3396 to arrange a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
The cognitive and adaptive functioning assessment used for PDD/AISH applications and for identifying an Intellectual Developmental Disorder (Intellectual Disability) takes approximately 7 hours to complete and is offered at a flat fee of $1,645.00. The process includes a two‑hour appointment beginning with a 45‑minute consultation, followed by approximately 1.5 hours of standardized cognitive testing (such as the WISC‑V or WAIS‑IV), as well as completion of adaptive functioning questionnaires by caregivers, teachers, the individual (when appropriate), and other familiar observers to provide a multi‑rater perspective.
A comprehensive written report is provided, and a feedback meeting is scheduled to review results and discuss the findings. From the initial intake to the final feedback meeting, the typical assessment timeline is approximately four to six weeks, depending on scheduling and the timely return of questionnaires.
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AISH & PDD Assessment FAQs
Start Your AISH or PDD Assessment
Book online or call 403-612-3396 to arrange a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
Constellation Psychology
1925 18 Ave NE, Suite #115 (Smart Executive Centre)Calgary, AB
T2E 7T8
info@constellationpsychology.ca
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