People bring their children to our office for many different reasons. Every child is unique, and so are the reasons we work with families. But across all of those differences, there are some consistent ways that parents can help prepare a child for a psychological or neuropsychological assessment, and it makes a real difference.

Talk to your child ahead of time. Children do better and are less anxious when they know what to expect. A brief, honest conversation before the appointment goes a long way.

You may want to share some of your concerns, or their teacher's concerns, in age-appropriate terms. For example: "We've noticed that even though you work really hard, reading feels difficult for you" or "We've noticed that you worry a lot about school and that you don't always want to go."

Let them know you see their strengths. Before you talk about what is hard, name what they are good at, being a kind person, a hard worker, a creative thinker. Assure them they are not being evaluated for anything they did wrong. They are not in trouble.

Explain what the evaluation is for. Tell your child that the psychologist wants to help figure out what comes easily to them and what is harder. Remind them that every person alive has things they find easy and things they struggle with. Share some examples from your own life, things that were hard for you in school, and things you were good at. It normalizes the process.

Tell them the evaluation helps the adults in their life understand them better, so parents and teachers can support them more effectively. You can also mention that parents have their own forms, questionnaires, and information to complete during the process. It is not just the child doing work.

A psychological evaluation is nothing to study or practice for. There are no right or wrong answers to prepare. Encourage your child to be honest and to do their best.

Be thoughtful about word choice. The word "test" can be frightening to many children. The word "game" can minimize the importance of the evaluation and may disappoint your child when it turns out to be more effortful than expected. Many families find that "activities" is the most accurate and least loaded word for what your child will actually be doing.

If your child has questions you cannot answer, help them write those questions down so they can ask the psychologist directly at the appointment.

Finally, remember that children pick up on emotional cues from the adults around them. If you stay calm, they will be more at ease. So take a breath, and encourage your child to be honest and do their best.

You can also reassure your child that everything in their testing sessions is private. The psychologist cannot share information about their identity or test findings without written parent permission.

The practical side of preparation matters just as much as the emotional side.

• Make sure your child is well rested. Sleep the night before makes a meaningful difference in how a child performs.
• Do not schedule testing when your child is sick or has a fever. If something comes up, it is always better to reschedule.
• Most children are tested during school hours because they typically function best at those times. Evenings are not good testing windows.
• Have your child take their normal medications unless the psychologist has specifically directed otherwise.
• Provide a light snack before testing and send a water bottle they can use during the session.
• Make sure they have a pencil, pen, and several sheets of white paper available on testing days.
• Ensure your child wears their glasses or uses their hearing aids if they have them.

Since our evaluations are conducted via telehealth, a little preparation on the technology side goes a long way.

• Find a quiet, private space in your home, ideally a room with a closed door so that pets and other family members do not interrupt.
• Test your camera and speakers ahead of time. Leave yourself enough time to locate login information and make sure everything is working before the session starts.
• Note that some tests can only be completed on a computer, not an iPad. Check with your psychologist if you plan to use a tablet. Chromebooks provided by school districts often have insufficient cameras or speakers and can complicate testing unnecessarily.
• Some children do better with headphones; others do better without them. It is worth trying both to see what helps your child focus.
• Remove distractions from the testing space, gaming devices, phones, and other screens should be out of sight.
• Do not sit with your child during testing unless the psychologist asks you to. Never try to help them or provide answers. Keep things calm and low-key afterward.

Make sure your paperwork and questionnaires are completed before your child's first appointment. That information is often essential for the psychologist to plan the testing battery appropriately. If you are unsure what is needed, reach out to our office and we will walk you through it.

If you have questions about what to expect from an evaluation at Hope Springs, we are glad to help. Contact us here.