What to Bring to Your Assessment Appointment

Your Assessment Appointment Checklist

Having everything organized before your child’s assessment saves time and helps the psychologist get the most complete picture possible. This checklist covers what to bring, why each item matters, and what you might want to leave at home.

You do not need to have every item on this list. Bring what you have. The psychologist can work with whatever is available.

Documents to Bring

Completed Intake Forms

Your psychologist will send you intake forms before the appointment. These forms collect background information about your child’s developmental history, medical history, school performance, and your current concerns.

Why it matters: The psychologist reviews these before the session begins. Completing them ahead of time means more of the appointment can be spent on actual assessment rather than gathering information.

Tip: Fill out the forms thoughtfully and thoroughly. If you are unsure about dates or details, give your closest estimate. If a question does not apply to your child, write “N/A” rather than leaving it blank.

Previous Assessment Reports

If your child has had any previous assessments, bring copies. This includes:

• Previous psychological assessments
• Speech-language assessments
• Occupational therapy assessments
• Developmental paediatric reports
• Psychiatric evaluations

Why it matters: Previous assessments provide a baseline. The psychologist can see how your child’s abilities have changed over time and avoid repeating tests that were recently administered.

School Records

Bring whatever school documentation you have:

• Report cards (the most recent two to three years are most useful)
• Individual Education Plan (IEP) if your child has one
• IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) documentation if applicable
• Teacher comments or progress reports
• Notes from school meetings about your child’s learning or behaviour
• Psychoeducational assessments done by the school board if applicable

Why it matters: School records show how your child performs in a real-world learning environment. They reveal patterns over time that a single assessment session cannot capture.

Tip: If you do not have copies of these documents, you can request them from the school office. In Ontario, schools are required to provide parents with copies of their child’s educational records.

Medical Records

If relevant, bring:

• Any reports from your child’s paediatrician or family doctor related to developmental or behavioural concerns
• Documentation of any neurological assessments (EEG, MRI reports)
• Records of hearing or vision tests

Why it matters: Medical information helps rule out physical causes for learning or behavioural difficulties. For example, a child with undetected hearing loss may present similarly to a child with an auditory processing issue.

List of Current Medications

Write down:

• The name of each medication
• The dosage
• When it was started
• The prescribing doctor

Why it matters: Some medications affect attention, mood, or cognitive processing. The psychologist needs to know what your child is taking to interpret the results accurately.

Insurance Information

If you plan to submit the assessment fee to your insurance provider, bring:

• Your insurance card or plan number
• The name of the plan holder
• Any pre-authorization documents if your insurer requires them

Why it matters: At Cornerstone, we provide receipts that include our registration numbers with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). Having your insurance details ready makes the reimbursement process smoother.

Items for Your Child

Comfort Items

A familiar object can help your child feel more at ease in an unfamiliar environment. Consider bringing:

• A small stuffed animal or toy
• A fidget tool or fidget cube
• A favourite blanket (for younger children)
• A weighted lap pad if your child uses one

The psychologist will let you know if any items need to be set aside during specific tasks.

Snacks and Water

Assessment sessions can last several hours. Your child will have breaks, and having snacks available helps maintain energy and focus.

• Pack snacks that your child likes and that provide sustained energy: granola bars, cheese and crackers, fruit, trail mix
• Bring a water bottle
• Avoid sugary snacks that cause energy crashes
• If your child has food allergies, bring snacks from home rather than relying on what might be available at the clinic

Glasses or Hearing Aids

If your child wears glasses, hearing aids, or any other assistive device, make sure they bring them. The assessment needs to measure learning and cognitive ability, not vision or hearing problems.

Something for the Waiting Room

If you are staying in the waiting room during the appointment, bring something for yourself. A book, headphones, or your laptop can make the wait more comfortable. If you have other children who are waiting, bring activities for them as well.

What NOT to Bring

Siblings (If Possible)

If you can arrange care for your other children, it is helpful to come without them. You may need to speak with the psychologist before or after the session, and it is easier to focus when you do not have other children to manage.

If bringing siblings is unavoidable, that is okay. Bring quiet activities for them and let the clinic know in advance so they can plan accordingly.

Expectations of Same-Day Results

Assessment results are not available on the same day. The psychologist needs time to score the tests, integrate all the information, and write a comprehensive report. This process typically takes two to four weeks.

You will be scheduled for a feedback session where the psychologist walks you through the results and answers your questions. Knowing this in advance helps you manage expectations and avoid disappointment on assessment day.

Electronic Devices for Your Child

Leave tablets, phones, and gaming devices at home or in the car during the assessment session. These can be distracting and may interfere with the testing process. Your child can use them during breaks if the psychologist agrees, but it is easier if they are not available during the session itself.

A Quick Reference Checklist

Documents:

• Completed intake forms
• Previous assessment reports
• School records (report cards, IEP, IPRC)
• Medical records (if relevant)
• List of medications and dosages
• Insurance information

For your child:

• Comfort item (toy, fidget, blanket)
• Snacks and water bottle
• Glasses, hearing aids, or assistive devices
• Comfortable clothing (dress your child in layers)

Leave at home (if possible):

• Siblings
• Electronic devices for your child
• Expectations of same-day results

If You Forget Something

Do not worry if you arrive without everything on the list. The psychologist can still proceed with the assessment. You can always send missing documents by email after the appointment. The most important thing is that your child is there, rested, and fed.

If you have questions about what to bring, contact the clinic before your appointment. At Cornerstone, we are happy to walk you through the preparation process during your free consultation call.