How to Prepare Your Child or Teen for Neuropsychological Testing in Madison, WI
You’re exploring options for neuropsychological testing for your child or teen in Madison, WI and may be wondering how to best prepare them for the evaluation. Here are some general tips to help your child or teen feel relaxed and confident about their testing session(s):
Help Them Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Most neuropsychological testing sessions will be scheduled in the morning to maximize your child or teen’s alertness and stamina. Helping them get a good night’s sleep before their appointment can ensure they feel rested and are able to demonstrate their skills and knowledge during the neuropsychological testing. Depending on the age of your child or teen, this may include setting an earlier bedtime for a few days before the appointment, limiting screen time in the evening hours, and helping them select a relaxing activity prior to their bedtime routine.
Give Them Their Daily Medications as Instructed
Parents often ask if their child or teen should take their prescribed behavioral medications, particularly those used to treat ADHD symptoms, the morning of their neuropsychological testing session.
In most situations, your child or teen should take their prescribed medication as they normally would on the day of their appointment. There may be some specific evaluations for which your provider will want to see how your child or teen performs on neuropsychological testing without medication. If you are unsure, just ask the psychologist before the appointment.
Offer a Nutritious Breakfast
Be sure to make time before your appointment to offer your child or teen a nutritious breakfast to fuel their brain and body for participating in neuropsychological testing. They will be better able to focus their attention and effort on the assessment tasks if they’re not feeling hungry.
Bring Water and Some Favorite Snacks
To help your child or teen stay hydrated and able to give their best effort during neuropsychological testing, plan to bring some water, or another hydrating beverage, and some favorite snacks. There will be breaks during the testing session(s) to allow your child or teen the chance to refuel, use the bathroom, and get some movement to help maintain their stamina during the session.
Talk to Them About What to Expect
It’s a good idea to talk to your child or teen about what to expect during neuropsychological testing. The level of detail you provide will likely depend on their age, language skills, and the purpose of the evaluation. Here are a few examples of words you can use to help them understand what to expect:
For a young child: “You are going to look at some pictures, do some puzzles, and answer some questions. Just try your best”
For a school-age child: “You are going to do some activities to help us and your teachers understand more about how your brain works and how you learn best. Just be yourself and try your best.”
For a teen: “The purpose of this evaluation is to help us better understand what supports would be most helpful for you based on your unique strengths and areas of challenge.”
Following these tips to prepare your child or teen for neuropsychological testing in Madison, WI can help them feel more relaxed and confident during their appointment(s). For more in-depth information about the neuropsychological testing process, check out our complete guide here. If you have any questions or would like to discuss whether a comprehensive evaluation is the right fit for your child or teen, schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation.
