Below is a list of questions that are frequently asked by those who are new to the evaluation process. Don’t see the answer to your question below? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Feel free to email all unanswered inquiries to Dr. Edwards at dredwards@psychassessclt.com. Inquiries will be addressed within two business days.
What should I tell my child about their school entry assessment appointment? How should I explain the assessment to them?
We recommend presenting the appointment as an experience comparable to a school day in that your child will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in a structured, yet interactive environment. This allows us to avoid the disillusion that the assessment is an unstructured, child-directed play date in which mental effort and sustained alertness are not required. We do, however, recommend avoiding terms such as “test” or “doctor’s visit” to prevent the onset of performance-based anxiety.
How should my child prepare for the school-entry assessment? What should they review?
Generally speaking, schools ask that parents refrain from formally preparing and/or exposing their child to test materials with the hopes of maintaining a level playing field for all applicants. Furthermore, most of the activities are designed to assess cognitive processes (i.e., working memory, processing speed, etc.) as opposed to crystalized intelligence (i.e., acquired knowledge), thus rendering it difficult to “prepare” a child for their assessment. We do, however, recommend getting a good night’s rest and an adequate breakfast prior to attending the testing session.
Can I use my insurance or HSA benefits to pay for my child’s school entry assessment?
Unfortunately, assessments conducted for the purpose of school entry are not considered to be a medical necessity, hence the reason that they are not covered by insurance.
How long does a school entry assessment take? Are applicants allowed to take breaks?
Typically speaking, it takes approximately 60 to 85 minutes to administer the WPPSI-IV and the WISC-V, respectively. Combined cognitive and achievement testing usually takes 2 to 2 ½ hours to administer in its entirety. Appointment windows are designed to allow for brief intermittent breaks, as needed.
Are children allowed to bring toys, stuffed animals, and other objects of interest to their appointment?
Sure! However, we recommend that such objects be used solely for the purpose of rapport building between the child and the clinician at the outset of the appointment. We do not recommend encouraging your child to bring such objects into the testing room with them, as they pose significant distractions and oftentimes impede a child’s ability to adequately attend to tasks and perform to their true potential.
Are parents expected to remain on site for the duration of their child’s assessment?
While parents are not required to remain in the actual waiting area for the duration of their child’s appointment, we do recommend that they remain in close proximity to the office in case of a medical emergency or a behavioral occurrence that interferes with test administration.
Will I have access to my child’s test results and how long does it take to have them disseminated?
Of course! Test results are generally emailed to parents and admissions teams within two weeks of the date of service. However, if you have a specific deadline to adhere to, please inform the clinician of that when scheduling to ensure that the deadline can be accommodated.
What if I decide to have my child’s results sent to a school other than the school(s) that we were initially applying to?
Simply email Dr. Edwards at dredwards@psychassessclt.com and your results will be disseminated accordingly. PLEASE NOTE that schools have varying assessment requirements that could result in additional fees and/or testing appointments so it may be helpful to note each school that you are considering at the outset of the assessment process to ensure the accuracy of pricing and scheduling options.
When can I expect my psych eval report to be ready for dissemination?
Generally speaking, a preliminary draft of an evaluation report will be prepared and discussed at the time of the feedback session, which is usually scheduled 2 to 3 weeks after all of the test data has been received by the clinician. PLEASE NOTE that psychological evaluation reports are not finalized or disseminated prior to the conclusion of the feedback session with the intention of ensuring that all parties understand the content of the report, as well as the implications associated with the assigned diagnoses and the treatment recommendations that have been made on the client’s behalf.
How long does it take to complete the psychological evaluation process?
Depending upon the availability of the clinician and the client, the assessment process usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to complete in its entirety. The process can, however, be significantly delayed by missed appointments and outstanding questionnaires that have yet to be completed by the client, the client’s caregivers, and/or the client’s educators.