Assessment Day

Before Assessment Day

Bring up the topic while doing something that your child enjoys

It can be intimidating for kids to get unexpected news face-to-face – that can make it seem pretty serious, scary even. Talk about it casually while taking the dog for a walk, playing catch, or over a favourite treat – nothing like a doughnut or an ice cream feast to defuse tension! Remember to smile while you talk about it. Don’t be too serious.

Explain that the purpose of the assessment is to learn more about how your child learns

Try to help them understand that this is for their benefit – it is so that you will better know how to support them, their teachers will get some ideas about how to make school easier for them, and they’ll get to learn a little bit about what things work for them and what things don’t. You can say something like:

_{You know, we’ve noticed that you are trying your best at school, but it still seems that you’re finding it hard. We don’t want that for you. We want to know how to make school more enjoyable for you and make learning easier. So, we found someone who can help us understand how you learn so that we can figure what to do differently to make school easier. What would you like to know about how you learn or how to make school easier?}

Explain the process simply

Let them know that when they meet with the psychologist, they will do different kinds of activities like working with blocks, doing some word and picture puzzles, and remembering things. Let them know that lots of kids find parts of it fun. If your child will be doing academic testing, let them know this (but never use the word test!). You can say something like:

_{Some of it will be easy and some parts will be a bit hard. Lots of kids find parts of it fun and parts of it tough but not too tough. After you do the picture and word games, there will be some reading, spelling, writing, or math (whatever applies to your child) but it will be very different than how you do it in school – and there is no right or wrong in it. You just need to try your best so we can figure out how you learn best.}

On Assessment Day

If your child is taking medication, check with the psychologist beforehand to determine if your child should take it on the assessment day or not (they usually should, and if you don’t know beforehand, default to giving your child their medication).

Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep.

Make sure your child has a good breakfast. It’s a nice start to the day that makes the assessment day a bit special – and important for your child to be able to do their best. Their brain will be working hard and will need some good food to fuel them for the day!

Send your child with a snack(s) and a drink(s). Let them know they will get breaks whenever they need it and also one mid-morning for their snack. They can go to the bathroom whenever they need to, as well.

Let your child know that you will come in with them for a few minutes to get settled and then will be back to get them at the specified time – or will be waiting in the waiting room – whichever has been arranged for your situation. It is a long wait, so most parents choose to be available by cell and return for pick-up at a specified time. Parents can be texted or called for earlier pickup if needed.

If your child really, really, needs a comfort object, let them bring it, but set up boundaries when you allow it. Say something like:

_{Sure, you can bring Teddy, but Teddy has to sit on a chair or shelf and watch you. You will be able to hold or play with Teddy during breaks.}