Multidisciplinary Assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder at Ruby Speech Therapy

At Ruby Speech Therapy, we offer multidisciplinary assessment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We love to learn about you or your child as a whole person; we can help identify areas of strength to build on, and areas of challenge to work on - together!

At Ruby Speech Therapy, we believe every child’s unique strengths, learning styles, and individual needs deserve to be understood. Our autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments are designed to provide families with clarity, compassion, and actionable insights through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

By combining the expertise of a licensed Psychologist and Speech-Language Pathologist—both trained in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2)—we create a comprehensive evaluation process that honors your child’s experiences while aligning with internationally recognized diagnostic criteria. Through family or parent interviews, structured observations, and detailed debrief sessions, our goal is not only to identify developmental profiles that may indicate ASD but also to illuminate pathways for tailored support. We prioritize understanding your child (or yourself) holistically, ensuring that any diagnosis serves as a bridge to accessing resources, therapies, and educational strategies that empower their growth and learning potential.

Our Multidisciplinary Autism Assessment

Our multidisciplinary assessment, priced at $3,250, includes:

  • Parents and caregivers provide so much insight for the assessment process! First, we will conduct a brief phone call to hear your goals for the assessment process and to learn about what has led to this step for your family.


    After schedule an assessment date, we will also plan an in-depth interview to learn more about the individual’s history including language development, sensory needs, participation at home with family, friends and in other areas of life. This interview portion helps us learn more about the in Your insights provide crucial context for interpreting assessment results and developing practical, family-centered recommendations tailored to your child's specific needs and your family's goals.

  • If the individual being assessed has any previous or recent documentation such as IPPs, speech and language assessments, or doctor’s referrals, the team will take a look at this beforehand. This helps them understand any impact on other areas of their life, including their participation at daycare, school, in the community or at work.

  • The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), is a standardized tool used to assess autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across ages and developmental levels. It involves structured activities, such as play for young children or conversation tasks for older individuals, designed to observe social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. As a "gold standard" in ASD assessment, the ADOS-2 provides valuable insights to support diagnosis and intervention planning when used alongside other evaluation methods.

  • Following the completion of the assessment, we schedule a debrief meeting to discuss our findings in detail. During this session, the assessment team will explain the diagnosis and results of the assessment, ensuring you understand the implications for your child's learning and development. We encourage questions and open dialogue. This meeting is an opportunity to collaboratively develop strategies and interventions that can be implemented at home and in educational settings to support your child's growth and success.

    The debrief meeting will be scheduled within 2-3 weeks of the assessment date.

  • The culmination of our diagnostic autism assessment process is a detailed interpretive report that serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding your child’s developmental profile and planning their future care. This document integrates findings from various evaluation tools, direct observations, and input from parents, educators, and other professionals. It provides a detailed account of your child’s developmental history, cognitive abilities, social communication skills, and behavioral patterns.

    The report outlines how your child meets or does not meet the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and highlights their unique strengths and challenges. Specific, actionable recommendations are included to support your child’s development across settings such as home, school, and therapy environments. These recommendations are tailored to your child’s individual needs and may include strategies for parents, educators, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals involved in their care.

    Additionally, the report emphasizes practical steps to access relevant resources and services while fostering collaboration among caregivers and professionals to ensure your child receives the most effective support.

Additional Assessment Options

  • You may wish to also have your child assessed in the areas of cognition, learning and social-emotional development.

    The cost for an autism assessment plus psychoeducational assessment with a Registered Psychologist is $3,400.

    If a Speech-Language Pathologist is also needed for the autism assessment portion, there will be an additional cost of $600. After an initial phone call, we will help determine if a Speech-Language Pathologist is required for your child’s assessment.

    You can learn more about our psychoeducational assessments by visiting here.

  • For children exhibiting signs of attention difficulties or hyperactivity, we utilize the Conners-3, a gold-standard tool for screening Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. This assessment provides valuable insights into:

    • Inattention and distractibility levels

    • Hyperactivity and impulsivity

    • Executive functioning skills

    By identifying ADHD symptoms early, we can recommend appropriate interventions, accommodations, and support services available in Edmonton, St. Albert and surrounding areas. This evaluation is particularly beneficial for children struggling with focus at home or academic settings.

    If parents consent, we are always open to collaborating with a child's school team to learn more about how the child functions in other areas of their daily life.

  • Anxiety can significantly impact a child's learning and communication abilities. We offer age-appropriate anxiety assessments to evaluate anxiety levels across different age groups:

    • PAS (Preschool Anxiety Scale) for younger children

    • SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders) for school-age children

    • BAI (Beck Anxiety Inventory) for teens and adults

    These tools help us understand the nature and severity of anxiety symptoms, allowing us to tailor our speech therapy and educational recommendations accordingly. We can guide you towards appropriate mental health resources in your area and suggest strategies to manage anxiety in various settings.

We understand that each child is unique, which is why we offer additional assessment options to address specific concerns.

If you wish to add one or more of these areas of assessment, additional fees may apply.

Meet the Assessment Team

Alison Lessard, B.Ed., M.Ed., R. Psych.

Alison Lessard is a Registered Psychologist with 30 years of experience working with children and their families in school settings, as well as providing assessments for autism spectrum disorder for children, adolescents, and adults.

Alison’s approach prioritizes accessible, compassionate guidance throughout the diagnostic process. She provides trauma-informed evaluations that identify neurodivergent profiles while centering family collaboration. She is trained to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scales - 2nd Edition, which is a gold standard tool for evaluating autism spectrum disorder.

Paulina Vazquez, M.Sc., R. SLP

Paulina Vazquez is a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist with 9 years of experience supporting autistic individuals and their families with speech, language and communication development. She has worked with infants, toddlers, children, teens, adults - always meeting them where they are at, and using their strengths and interests to grow in the areas that help them participate meaningfully in their life.

Paulina has participated in ongoing, focused training throughout her career which allowed her to be on the Registry of Autism Service Providers in BC from 2019-2025. She is trained to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scales - 2nd Edition, which is a gold standard tool for evaluating autism spectrum disorder.

Better Together

A Psychologist and Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) team provides a balanced approach to diagnosing autism by combining expertise in behavior, cognition, and communication. Together, they ensure a thorough evaluation of social, emotional, and language development, leading to a more accurate diagnosis and effective intervention planning.

Book your autism assessment at Ruby Speech Therapy

Contact Us: Call us at (587) 410-9791 or submit a referral on our website here. We will get back to you within one business day.

We’ll answer any questions you have and can schedule you in for your assessment date and debrief meeting together at our clinic, located at 60 Riel Dr. St Albert.

First, you’ll complete a brief questionnaire about your child's strengths, challenges, and any concerns you have. Before the appointment, you’ll have a more in-depth phone call with our psychologist to better prepare for the assessment day. We will also schedule your debrief meeting to review the results, report and next steps with you. We aim to schedule this meeting within 2-3 weeks of the assessment date.

 FAQs

  • Our multidisciplinary autism assessment package is $3,250.

  • An autism assessment typically includes three main components:

    • Parent Interview: A detailed discussion with parents or caregivers to gather developmental history, behavioral patterns, and concerns about the individual being assessed.

    • ADOS-2 Assessment: The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), is a standardized tool designed to evaluate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across all ages and developmental levels. It involves structured activities—such as play for younger children or conversation tasks for older individuals—to observe social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Known as the "gold standard" in ASD assessment, it provides critical insights for diagnosis and intervention planning.

    • Debrief: A follow-up meeting to review findings, discuss the diagnosis (if applicable), and outline next steps, including recommendations for support or interventions.

  • Yes - many extended health insurance plans and employee benefit programs may cover part or all of the cost of an autism assessment. We recommend that families review their insurance policies or speak directly with their providers to understand the specifics of their coverage.

    We can provide the necessary documentation and receipts to facilitate reimbursement. Some insurance plans have specific amounts that can be reimbursed for assessment in addition to general allowance for psychology services and speech therapy services.