How to Prepare for Your Child's Assessment Day

Getting Ready for Assessment Day

Your child’s assessment day is coming up, and you want it to go smoothly. The good news is that you do not need to do anything complicated. A few simple preparations can help your child feel comfortable and perform at their natural level during the assessment.

The goal of an assessment is to see how your child’s brain works on a typical day. You are not trying to help them “do well” on the tests. You are trying to make sure they are rested, fed, and at ease so the results reflect their true abilities.

The Night Before

Sleep

A good night of sleep is one of the most important things you can do. Tired children have a harder time focusing, staying motivated, and managing frustration. All of these can affect assessment results.

• Stick to your child’s normal bedtime routine. Do not make it earlier or later than usual.
• Avoid screens for at least 30 minutes before bed.
• If your child tends to have trouble sleeping when they are anxious, consider a calming activity before bed, such as reading together or listening to quiet music.
• Aim for the amount of sleep your child typically needs. For most school-age children, this is 9 to 11 hours.

Talk About Tomorrow

If your child knows about the assessment, keep the conversation brief and reassuring. You might say:

• “Tomorrow you are going to meet [psychologist’s name]. They are going to do some activities and puzzles with you. There are no wrong answers.”
• “If you have questions, you can ask me now or tomorrow morning.”

If your child is anxious, acknowledge their feelings without dismissing them. “It makes sense to feel a little nervous about something new. I will be there with you.”

Prepare What You Need

Get everything organized the night before so the morning is not rushed:

• Any forms or paperwork the psychologist asked you to bring
• Previous reports, if requested (school reports, IEP documents, past assessments)
• A list of your child’s current medications and dosages
• Your insurance information, if applicable
• A comfort item for your child (a small toy, stuffed animal, or fidget)
• Snacks and a water bottle

The Morning Of

Breakfast

Make sure your child eats a solid breakfast. Assessment sessions are mentally demanding, and hunger affects concentration.

• Serve something your child normally eats. This is not the morning to try new foods.
• Include protein and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. Examples: eggs and toast, oatmeal with fruit, yogurt and granola, peanut butter on whole wheat.
• Avoid excessive sugar, which can cause energy spikes and crashes.
• Make sure your child drinks water.

Medication

If your child takes daily medication (for ADHD, anxiety, or anything else), give it as usual unless the psychologist has given you specific instructions about medication on testing day.

Important: If the psychologist has asked you to withhold medication for the assessment, follow those instructions exactly. If you are unsure, call the clinic before the appointment rather than guessing.

Some assessments involve one session with medication and one without. The psychologist will explain this during the consultation if it applies to your child.

Getting Dressed

Let your child wear comfortable clothes. Assessment sessions can be long, and your child will be sitting for extended periods. Avoid anything itchy, too tight, or new. If your child has sensory preferences for certain fabrics or fits, honour those.

Set Expectations for the Day

Give your child a simple overview of what the day will look like:

• “We are going to the office at [time]. You will be with [psychologist’s name] for about [duration]. I will be in the waiting room.”
• “You will do different activities. Some are puzzles, some are reading or writing, and some are just talking.”
• “There will be breaks. You can have snacks and water.”
• “When you are done, we will [describe a low-key activity afterward, like going home, getting a treat, or going to the park].”

Having something to look forward to after the appointment can help with motivation.

What the Psychologist Needs from You

The psychologist’s job is to assess your child. Your job is to provide context. Here is what helps:

Accurate Background Information

If you completed intake forms, make sure the information is as accurate and thorough as possible. The psychologist uses this information to choose the right tools and to interpret the results in context.

Honesty About Concerns

Be open about what you have observed. If your child struggles with attention, melts down after school, has difficulty with friendships, or avoids reading, share that. The more the psychologist understands about your child’s daily life, the more useful the assessment will be.

Observations from School

If your child’s teacher or school has provided written observations, bring those. Report cards, teacher comments, IEP documents, and notes from school meetings are all helpful. If you have not gathered these yet, it is okay. The psychologist can work with what you have.

Permission to Be Honest

Let your child know that it is okay to tell the psychologist if something is hard, if they do not understand, or if they need a break. The assessment is most accurate when your child feels safe enough to be themselves.

Comfort Items and Sensory Supports

If your child uses comfort items or sensory tools, bring them. This might include:

• A favourite stuffed animal or small toy
• A fidget tool
• Noise-cancelling headphones (the psychologist will let you know if these can be used during specific tasks)
• A weighted lap pad
• Chewing gum (if your child finds it calming)

The psychologist is experienced in working with children who have different sensory needs. They will accommodate your child’s preferences whenever possible.

Managing Your Own Anxiety

It is normal to feel nervous about your child’s assessment. You might worry about the results, about how your child will cope, or about what comes next. Here are a few things that may help:

• Remember that the assessment is about understanding your child, not judging them or you.
• The psychologist is trained to create a comfortable, low-pressure environment for children.
• There are no bad results. Every piece of information helps build a clearer picture of your child.
• You will have a feedback session after the assessment where all the results will be explained and you can ask questions. At Cornerstone, this session is included.

What to Do If Your Child Refuses

Some children resist going to new places or meeting new people. If your child is upset on assessment day:

• Stay calm and matter-of-fact. Your child picks up on your energy.
• Validate their feelings. “I can see you are nervous. That is okay.”
• Remind them of what will happen. “You will do some activities, and then we will go home.”
• Do not force it. If your child is too distressed to engage, the psychologist would rather reschedule than try to assess a child who is overwhelmed. This is normal and not a failure.

Contact the clinic if you think your child might have difficulty on assessment day. The psychologist can offer suggestions specific to your child’s needs.

After the Session

When the assessment session is over, your child may be tired. Assessment work is mentally demanding, even when it feels like games and puzzles. Plan for a quiet afternoon or evening. Avoid scheduling other demanding activities on the same day.

Ask your child how it went, but keep it light. “How was it? Did you do anything interesting?” is enough. Let them share at their own pace.

The psychologist will let you know the next steps, including when to expect the report and when the feedback session will be scheduled.