Preparing your child for a psychological or psychoeducational assessment can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right preparation and guidance, you can help your child feel comfortable and prepared for their upcoming psychological exam. Here at Rocky Mountain Psychological Services (RMPS) in Calgary, we offer child psychological assessments as the first step in our psychological services. Learn more below, and contact our therapists in Calgary today!
Explain the Purpose
First and foremost, it’s important to make sure your child knows why the psychological exam is being conducted. Explain to them the purpose of the assessment, who will be conducting it, and what will happen during the child psychological assessment. It may also be helpful to explain what the assessor is looking for.
“It’s Not a Test”
It’s also important to ensure your child knows that the child psychological assessment is not a test, but rather a way for the assessor to learn about them and their abilities. Explain to them that the child psychological assessment is not something to be feared but rather a chance to offer help and guidance.
Explain the Setting
In order to help your child feel comfortable and ready for the child psychological assessment, it’s important to get them familiar with the process. Talk to them about the assessor, the setting, and the types of tasks they may be asked to complete. If possible, you can even take them to the location of the child psychological assessment in order to help them feel more comfortable when the day of the psychological exam arrives.
Preparation Is Key
It’s also important to prepare your child emotionally and mentally for the child psychological assessment. Talk to them about the importance of staying calm and focused during the psychological exam. Remind them that the assessor is there to help and that it’s okay to take breaks if they feel overwhelmed.
Prepare the Night Before
Finally, it’s important to ensure that your child is well rested, well fed, and in a good mood prior to the child psychological assessment. Make sure that they get plenty of sleep the night before and have a good breakfast on the morning of the child psychological assessment. It’s also important to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement prior to the psychological exam in order to help them feel confident and ready.
GET IN TOUCH TODAY
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your child is prepared for their upcoming psychological or psychoeducational assessment. With the right preparation and guidance, your child will feel confident and ready. Rocky Mountain Psychological Services offers a full scope of child psychological services in Calgary. We begin with a psychological evaluation and then form a plan to ensure your child’s health and well-being. Contact our pediatric therapists to begin today!