11/29/2025
Understanding the Roles of Pediatricians and Schools in British Columbia
Parents in BC often feel confused about who does what when it comes to supporting their child—especially around learning problems, behaviour, ADHD, anxiety, or autism. This guide explains the responsibilities of:
Pediatricians
Schools
Psychologists (clinical & school)
Sunny Hill (BC Children’s Hospital)
Psychoeducational assessments
1. What Pediatricians Do
A pediatrician is a medical doctor who assesses health, development, behaviour, and mental health.
Pediatricians CAN diagnose:
ADHD
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — often with a team, but pediatricians may complete the diagnosis in certain cases
Developmental delay
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (part of a team)
Tics & Tourette syndrome
Medical contributors to learning problems (sleep disorders, seizures, thyroid issues, anemia, hearing/vision issues, chronic illness)
Pediatricians also:
Provide treatment and medication for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and behaviour concerns.
Refer to mental health counselling, psychiatry, or developmental services.
Provide documentation to support school planning (e.g., medical diagnoses for IEP).
Pediatricians DO NOT:
Diagnose learning disabilities
Conduct IQ testing or academic achievement testing
Determine school designations
Write IEPs
Decide school staffing or supports
Learning disabilities must be diagnosed by a psychologist (school or private).
2. What Schools and School Districts Do
Schools in BC are responsible for:
Educational assessment
School psychologists may conduct assessments if a child is struggling academically or behaviourally.
Teachers, resource teachers, and learning support staff review the child’s performance in class.
Supports for learning
Reading, writing, and math interventions
Classroom strategies and accommodations
Behaviour support
Speech-language therapy (at school, for some grades)
Occupational therapy (limited in school districts)
EA support (based on needs & district resources—not diagnosis alone)
Education plans
Schools are responsible for creating:
IEP – Individualized Education Plan
For students needing significant adaptations or modifications.
The school team leads the IEP. Parents participate.
School-based team meetings
Review concerns, plan supports, and decide next steps.
School designations are an EDUCATIONAL tool
Examples:
A, B, C categories (Ministry of Education)
Autism (Category G)
Learning disability (Category Q)
Chronic health impairment (Category D)
Only the school/school district assigns designations.
A medical diagnosis does not automatically create a designation.
3. What Psychologists Do (Clinical vs School)
There are two types of psychologists parents might encounter:
A. School Psychologists (within the school district)
They CAN:
Do psychoeducational assessments
Diagnose learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
Diagnose intellectual disability
Identify processing weaknesses (memory, auditory processing, executive function)
Make recommendations for IEPs and accommodations
Help determine Ministry designations
They DO NOT:
Diagnose mental health disorders (ADHD, anxiety, depression, ASD)
Prescribe medications
Provide ongoing therapy beyond school-based counselling
B. Clinical / Registered Psychologists (private)
They CAN:
Provide a Psychoeducational Assessment (private clinics)
Diagnose learning disabilities
Diagnose intellectual disability
Diagnose some mental health conditions
Provide therapy (anxiety, trauma, mood disorders)
Provide autism diagnostic assessments (psychologists with specialized training)
They CANNOT:
Provide medication
Directly assign school designations (schools use their reports to decide)
4. What Is a Psychoeducational Assessment?
A psychoeducational assessment is a detailed evaluation of:
IQ/cognitive abilities
Memory, processing speed, executive function
Reading, writing, math performance
Learning strengths & weaknesses
Used to diagnose:
Learning Disability (Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia)
Intellectual Disability
Giftedness
Processing disorders
Who does it?
School psychologists (FREE, but limited availability)
Private psychologists (FASTER, but paid by family)
Who refers?
Pediatrician
Teacher
School-based team
Parents can also self-refer to private psychologists
You do not need a pediatrician referral for a school-based assessment.
5. When Should a Child Be Referred to Sunny Hill?
Sunny Hill (at BC Children’s Hospital) provides specialized developmental and diagnostic services.
Typical referral reasons:
Complex autism assessment
Suspected intellectual disability
Global developmental delay
Motor disorders (cerebral palsy, neuromuscular concerns)
Feeding and swallowing issues
Rehab and physical medicine
Complex behaviour concerns needing interdisciplinary assessment
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (with medical documentation)
Referrals must be made by:
A pediatrician
A family doctor
In some programs, a psychologist or another specialist
Schools cannot refer directly.
6. Summary for Parents
If you are concerned about behaviour, attention, anxiety, mood, or possible autism → go to your pediatrician.
If you are concerned about reading, writing, math, or suspected learning disability → request a psychoeducational assessment through the school OR privately.
If your child needs an IEP → the school team creates it with your input.
If your child has complex developmental concerns → your pediatrician may refer to Sunny Hill.
