Expectations and Preparation for Testing

Parents play an important role in the testing process. Please be prepared to bring your child to our center for testing and wait on site while testing occurs. These appointments are typically 2 to 3 hours. The appointments occur during the day, so your child will need to miss school.

Parents take part in the parent interview, which occurs at the beginning of the assessment process, prior to the start of direct testing. All adults who are primary caregivers in the child’s life are recommended to take part in the interview. This interview will cover a variety of topics that will help our examiners better understand your child and family, and the history and nature of the concern. Examiners will inquire about your child’s development and medical history, educational status/functioning, social skills and peer relationships, family history and relationships, and mood/behaviors, among other things.

It can be helpful to provide relevant documents that will aid in the examiner’s understanding of your child or adolescent’s presenting concerns. Types of documents that are useful include:

• Results from any prior evaluations
• Most current IEP, 504 plan, or special education eligibility
• Report cards
• Work samples
• Medical diagnoses documentation
• Treatment and outcome summaries

For your child, there is no formal preparation necessary prior to testing. It is important that your child get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy meal prior to arriving at our center. Please bring snacks and drinks for your child to have during breaks.