Cost is one of the most practical — and most searched — questions families have about autism assessments. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what’s free, what private assessment typically costs in the Edmonton area, and what can help offset it.
Public Assessment: Free, But With a Wait and Referral Requirements
The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital’s autism assessment services are provided at no cost to families. The tradeoff is a longer wait and a referral process that requires a physician (and, in some cases, prior community-based testing) before the assessment can happen. See our companion post on public vs. private options for the full pathway details.
What Drives the Cost of a Private Assessment
The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta publishes a recommended fee guideline of $235 per hour for standard psychological services, and a thorough autism evaluation commonly involves somewhere in the range of 8 to 16 total hours of a practitioner’s time once interviews, standardized testing, scoring, and report writing are included. In the Edmonton area, this generally translates to private multidisciplinary autism assessments in the low-to-mid thousands of dollars — the exact total depends on clinical complexity, how many professionals are involved (a multidisciplinary assessment costs more than a single-provider one, but also captures more), and what’s included in the fee.
Funding That Can Help
- FSCD (Family Support for Children with Disabilities): for children and youth under 18 with a qualifying diagnosis. Funding is individualized and needs-based — see our full FSCD guide.
- Extended health benefits: some plans include coverage for psychological assessment — check your specific policy for what’s covered and whether a referral is required.
- PUF (for eligible preschool-aged children): may apply depending on your child’s situation — see our PUF guide.
Questions to Ask About Cost Before Booking
- Is this a multidisciplinary assessment, and which professionals are involved?
- What’s included — caregiver interview, cognitive assessment, educational skill assessment, standardized observation tools, a written report, a feedback session?
- Are there additional fees for school documentation or funding-application letters?
- Is direct billing available for extended health coverage?
- Are there follow-up and wraparound supports for the child and family following a diagnosis?
- Is there a clear care-path for families to determine next steps, interventions supports and resource navigation?
Our Fees
Our assessment team carries a combined 25 years of experience working with young children with a diagnosis of Autism. We specialize in early intervention. toddlers and diagnosing children before age 3, and identifying the complexities and differences of Autism in young females. Our Autism assessment fees range from $3500-$5500 depending on the complexity and hours required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover autism assessments in Alberta?
Most extended health plans cover at least a portion of psychological assessment — check your specific policy for coverage limits and referral requirements. We bill SLP, OT and Psychology services directly to your insurance provider.
Is FSCD funding available before a diagnosis is confirmed?
FSCD can, in some cases, accept applications while a diagnosis is pending — a caseworker can advise on your specific situation.
Is a more expensive assessment always more thorough?
Not necessarily — cost is often driven by how many professionals are involved, the expertise and experience of the team, and the complexity of the case, so it’s worth asking exactly what’s included rather than comparing price alone.
Are all autism assessments the same?
No! Every clinic and organization will have different processes for diagnosing Autism. It is important that you ask questions relevant to your child and your concerns to determine if that team is the right fit. Questions such as “Who completes the assessment?” (some organizations only have a psychologist, whereas others utilize the expertise of SLPs and OTs as well), “How long have the team members been working with Autistic children?”, “How much clinical experience does the psychologist have with diagnosing young children?”, “What services do you offer after the assessment?”.
Next Step
Book a free consultation to discuss the cost and scope of our multidisciplinary Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment, including funding options that may apply to your family.
