When your child is scheduled for a cognitive or neuropsychological assessment—such as the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) or NEPSY (A Developmental NEuroPSYchological Assessment)—you play a key role in helping them feel comfortable and prepared. Following a few key points can make the experience smoother and more meaningful. Here's how to support your child throughout the process:
Before the Assessment
What to Say
Set a positive, low-pressure tone. Use calm, age-appropriate language to explain what the assessment is and isn’t:
- “You’ll be doing thinking games and activities to show how your brain works.”
- “There are no right or wrong answers—just try your best.”
- “This helps adults understand your strengths and any challenges. It can help adults to help you learn, not to judge you.”
What Not to Say
Avoid language that suggests pressure or performance:
- “This will show how smart you are.”
- “You’re being tested.” Or “This is a test/exam.”
- “This will decide what class you’ll be in.”
Framing the assessment as high-stakes can lead to anxiety and inaccurate results. A calm, supportive message helps your child feel safe and authentic.
Don’t Practice
It’s important not to prepare your child with puzzles or academic tasks in advance. These are standardized assessments, and pre-exposure can affect the validity of results. Let the clinician see your child’s natural thinking style. This will best inform the recommendations.
Stick to Routine
- Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep before the assessment.
- Give them a healthy breakfast on the day.
- Maintain a normal, calm morning routine to reduce stress.
Pack for Comfort
- Bring a water bottle and a healthy snack—the assessment can be long and mentally demanding.
- Let your child wear comfortable clothes.
- Allow a small comfort item (like a toy or fidget) if it helps them feel more secure.
During the Assessment
Reassure your child they can ask questions, take breaks, and that it’s okay if some things feel tricky. Once the assessment begins, it’s important to let the clinician take the lead in guiding the session. In most cases, parents are asked to wait in the waiting room to ensure the results remain as accurate as possible, as children may naturally look to their parents for cues or answers. The clinicians are trained to adapt to your child’s pace, mood, and individual needs throughout the process.
After the Assessment
Assessments can be mentally exhausting, even if they don’t look physically strenuous. Your child might feel tired, frustrated, or overstimulated afterward. Avoid sending them back to school or scheduling extracurricular activities immediately after. It can help to instead plan something low-key, comforting, and positive —like quiet time at home, a favourite meal, or a relaxing activity.
Mental fatigue can affect mood and behaviour. Giving space to rest helps your child recover and maintain a positive memory of the experience.
Resist the urge to ask, “How did you do?” or “Did you get everything right?” Instead, say something like:
- “I’m really proud of you for trying your best.”
- “That was a big day. You worked really hard.”
The best way to prepare your child for an assessment isn’t academic—it’s emotional. Our team is here to ensure the assessment experience is as comfortable and supportive as possible. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a team member before your appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 0479 149 277. We're here to help guide you through every step of the process.