Psychological Testing: Pre-Evaluation Planning Meeting
Updated March 27, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
If your child is suspected of being depressed, she may undergo psychological testing by a professional for further information. Before an evaluation can occur, as a parent you must provide consent. At the time of consent, typically a planning meeting will occur. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns that you may have.
1. How Should I Prepare My Child?
Usually there is nothing special that you will need to do to prepare your child for an evaluation.
However, you might ask for some tips on how to talk to your child about depression and the upcoming evaluation.
2. State Your Concerns
Discuss your concerns with the assessor. For example, if your child is usually tired in the morning, has a hard time sitting still or gets anxious in new situations, let the assessor know. It is important that the assessment should be planned during a time that your child is not distracted, sick, or overly stressed.
3. Discuss Your Observations
Tell the assessor about any of your child's behaviors that are concerning to you. A parent's observations are important insight into a child's everyday functioning. Additionally family history, medical history, and developmental milestones are important to reveal.
3. What Are Typical Treatment Options?
Certainly no one can be exactly sure of the results of the evaluation, however if your child is being tested for depression, the assessor can discuss some of the most common depression treatments options for children.
This will allow you to have some time to think over possible treatment options and do some research, so when it is time to create an action plan you are prepared with questions.
Always take the opportunity to ask any questions and bring up any concerns that you have. Mental health professionals who evaluate children are used to working closely with parents, and understand that a psychological evaluation can be stressful for both parents and children. The outcome of a psychological evaluation is most beneficial if the entire family feels comfortable and confident about the process.
Sources:
Gary Groth-Marnat. The Handbook of Psychological Assessments, Fourth Edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2003.
Psychological Evaluations: What Every Parent Should Know. National Association of School Psychologists. Accessed: October 29, 2010. http://www.spannj.org/pti/Psychological_evaluations.pdf
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
If your child is suspected of being depressed, she may undergo psychological testing by a professional for further information. Before an evaluation can occur, as a parent you must provide consent. At the time of consent, typically a planning meeting will occur. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns that you may have.
1. How Should I Prepare My Child?
Usually there is nothing special that you will need to do to prepare your child for an evaluation.
However, you might ask for some tips on how to talk to your child about depression and the upcoming evaluation.
2. State Your Concerns
Discuss your concerns with the assessor. For example, if your child is usually tired in the morning, has a hard time sitting still or gets anxious in new situations, let the assessor know. It is important that the assessment should be planned during a time that your child is not distracted, sick, or overly stressed.
3. Discuss Your Observations
Tell the assessor about any of your child's behaviors that are concerning to you. A parent's observations are important insight into a child's everyday functioning. Additionally family history, medical history, and developmental milestones are important to reveal.
3. What Are Typical Treatment Options?
Certainly no one can be exactly sure of the results of the evaluation, however if your child is being tested for depression, the assessor can discuss some of the most common depression treatments options for children.
This will allow you to have some time to think over possible treatment options and do some research, so when it is time to create an action plan you are prepared with questions.
Always take the opportunity to ask any questions and bring up any concerns that you have. Mental health professionals who evaluate children are used to working closely with parents, and understand that a psychological evaluation can be stressful for both parents and children. The outcome of a psychological evaluation is most beneficial if the entire family feels comfortable and confident about the process.
Sources:
Gary Groth-Marnat. The Handbook of Psychological Assessments, Fourth Edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2003.
Psychological Evaluations: What Every Parent Should Know. National Association of School Psychologists. Accessed: October 29, 2010. http://www.spannj.org/pti/Psychological_evaluations.pdf
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