The Testing Process: What To Expect
While each assessment is personalized, any evaluation follows a standard flow with some key components. An evaluation with me will include an initial parent intake/interview, the direct testing session(s), a feedback session to review findings, and a write-up of the conclusions and recommendations.
Steps in the Assessment Process
Additional Components of an Assessment
Interview with Outside Sources
With permission, I often find it helpful to speak with school staff, treatment providers, and/or physicians who are familiar with your child. This helps me learn more about your child's learning, behavior, and social interactions.
Behavioral Questionnaires
Parent and teacher questionnaires are included in almost all evaluations to attain information about a child's functioning across settings. While it is important for me to observe your child's behavior directly, these questionnaires provide valuable data about strengths and challenges outside of my office.
School
Observation
I can observe your child in the classroom/childcare setting. I find that this is particularly helpful when attention, behavioral, and/or social concerns are occurring in the school setting. This observation often occurs after the initial interview, but before the testing session(s).
Individualized Feedback
It is important to me that you and your child fully understand the evaluation results. In addition to the formal report provided at the end of the assessment, I may also use supplemental written or visual methods (e.g., a parent letter, a letter or personalized story for your child, and/or results in powerpoint form) to illuminate findings.