By Senior Psychologist Erin Hume
Navigating an Upcoming Psychological Assessment: A Guide for Families
Stepping into a psychologist’s office for an assessment is often a brand-new experience for children, teens, and their families. Having an open conversation ahead of time about what to expect can significantly ease a young person’s anxiety and encourage them to actively participate.
Sometimes, a young person prompts the assessment themselves after noticing a challenge at home or school. In other cases, they might be completely unaware that certain things are trickier for them than they need to be.
Regardless of the situation, honesty, openness, and collaboration form the best approach. As with any conversation with kids, it is vital to keep the language developmentally appropriate.
For example, with a younger child, you might say: “We are going to visit a professional whose job is to figure out how different kids learn best, so we can make things a bit easier for you at school.”
Foster Curiosity, Not Anxiety
Modelling a positive and curious attitude can completely change how a child views the appointment. You can foster this by:
Celebrating unique brains: Talk about how our brains are amazing and unique. What comes naturally to one person (like reading or focusing) might be harder for someone else, and vice versa.
Wondering together: Discuss what you might both discover about their unique strengths and the areas where they might need a little extra help.
Asking for their input: Ask your child what they would like to learn about themselves. Write down their ideas to share with the psychologist (though it is completely fine if they don’t have any questions).
Validating their experience: Help them become the “expert” on their own brain by listening to what they love, hate, find easy, or find tricky about school and daily life.
What to Expect During the First Session
Demystifying the process can relieve a lot of anticipation. You can let the young person know that an assessment generally involves:
A casual chat: Talking about their thoughts, feelings, hobbies, friends, and school.
Puzzles and brain teasers: Engaging in problem-solving activities (many of which are done on an iPad!) to see how their brain processes information.
School-style activities: Doing some reading, writing, or math to pinpoint their strengths and areas that might need extra support.
Crucial Reminders for Your Child
It is NOT a school test: There are no grades, and they cannot “fail.”
Breaks are encouraged: They can take movement or game breaks whenever they need or want them.
No studying required: The only preparation needed is a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast.
Handling Reluctance and Resistance
If your child or teen is resisting the idea, explain that this process is a tool designed specifically to make their life easier or better—not a punishment. Shifting the focus to how it benefits them can help them feel more invested.
If they remain highly resistant, please reach out to your psychologist. An initial introductory chat can be arranged so the young person can meet the psychologist, ask questions, and iron out any roadblocks before the formal assessment begins.
Tip for Parents: Let the psychologist know about your child’s special interests, favourite games, or hobbies ahead of time. Incorporating these into the session is a fantastic way to build rapport and help them feel at ease.
In Summary
When talking about an upcoming assessment, anchor the conversation in positivity, collaboration, and curiosity.
Additional Resources
For younger children, neurodivergent children, or those who experience high anxiety with new routines, visual preparation can be incredibly comforting. You can download and read through our Social Story: Visiting Raise the Bar together to help them visualise exactly what their day will look like.
