How to Talk to Your Child/Teen About Their Psychological Evaluation

A frequent question we receive from parents/guardians prior to their child’s evaluation is: “What should I tell my child/teen beforehand?”. This is an important conversation to have with your child/teen and it’s common to feel unsure about where to begin. We want to share some tips for talking with your child/teen to help you feel prepared to discuss the purpose of an evaluation and what to expect during test sessions. 

Young people often experience anxiety about unfamiliar situations and telling them what to expect ahead of time can alleviate these anxious feelings. How you approach talking about the purpose of a psychological evaluation will vary depending on the age of your child and their personality. It’s important to share information in a way that they can process and understand. We presented the talking points by age, but they can all be adapted to fit a child or teen. 

• When talking with a child (ages 5-11):
  • Instead of the word “test” or “testing”, we suggest using the word “activities” when describing what your child will do with the psychologist because children may associate negative or stressful situations with the word “test.”
  • It can be helpful to let your child know that some of the activities will be similar to what they do in school and other activities may feel more like a game.
  • Explain that a psychological evaluation will help parents and teachers know how to help them at home and in school.
  • You can reassure them that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers. We just want them to do their best.
  • You can also tell your child that everyone learns differently and sometimes kids need help to make learning less difficult for them.

• When talking with an adolescent (ages 12-18):
  • You can say, “you mentioned that ______ has been hard for you this year. We are going to meet with a psychologist who will help us understand why you might be having a hard time with ______ and then they will give us ideas to make these things easier for you.”
  • You can tell them that, “everyone’s brain works differently and we want to understand how your brain processes information so we can support you at home and school.”
  • Reassure your teen this is not a pass/fail test, or something they will be graded on.

For youth of all ages, the psychologist will want to talk with them about their experiences, feelings, what they do well, and things that are difficult for them. In addition to talking to your child/teen, the psychologist may also ask them to complete questionnaires to rate themselves in different areas, such as thoughts, feelings, and behavior.  

It might be helpful for your child/teen to see what our office looks like before arriving for their first test session. We have included some images of the waiting area (stocked with complimentary coffee, tea, and water) and assessment rooms below so you can look at them together ahead of time. 

If your child would like to see what their psychologist looks like, you can view our Team page by clicking here. Each psychologist also has a short biography, which includes information about their education and some of their interests.

In closing, follow your child/teen’s lead to guide the conversation and give them an opportunity to ask whatever questions they have. You know your child best so you can tailor your approach based on your child/teen’s unique personality. Some children/teens just want the facts, no sugar coating – decide what will be most useful for your child. Remember, we are here to help – if your child has a question you don’t know the answer to, reach out to our administrative team via phone at (385) 645-4947 or email at support@wasatchlearningandwellness.com.

Post Written by Anna Purkey, EdS, BCBA