Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment q about scheduling neuropsych exam

We are having a full neuropsych exam for DS 7 (dysgraphia and dyslexia are suspected). We are doing it in 3 hour chunks. What is the best way to do this? Can we do 3 hrs on Monday and then, say, 3 hrs on Wednesday? All in one day with a lunch break? Should the sessions be one week apart? Any experience with this would be appreciated!

Surely the psych will have a preference? When we've done testing with our kids the psyhologists have told us how they work, the one that liked to split the testing up offered us appointments a week apart and that was that. One tester wanted to do things all in one day (just IQ, not full neuropsych). Both these two their approaches were sound for how they worked with the kids. We had one guy though, who schedule IQ and achievement all in one day, he told us he would give her a break and then didn't, because she said she was ok to keep going when he offered a break (duh, she's a super compliant girl with aspergers desperately trying to figure out "the right thing" and do that), and that clearly impacted her performance. She came out miserable and exaubsted and performed less well than she could have on some areas.

The tester left it up to us to decide. She just said we shouldn't do it all in one day. I just don't know how "taxing" it all is. DS enjoyed the IQ testing but he also "aced" it. I have a feeling some of the next rounds of testing he will struggle with.

Our son's testing was two consecutive days, for about three hours each day. That seemed to work well.

My son needed lots of breaks. He really needed a tester willing to give him lots of breaks and be patient. He became very fatigued. I learned my lesson brought a lot of snacks and we (DS and I) were both very assertive this time about saying a break is needed. We had two days scheduled but we could have really used three - it took awhile because he went so far in the questions, add to that needing breaks... I would err on scheduling it over as many days as possible (if you don't need them then you don't need them) rather than pushing him. Also, if I were to do it again, I would try not to do it on consectutive days (I would schedule like a day or so apart). That's just my kid but he was really exhausted by it (and he was being tested for dysgraphia and dyslexia as well).

Yes, and be pushy about the breaks if your kid needs them. Our tester told me she would give breaks but then, in reality, just kept goign and didn't offer them and DS was afraid to ask. I was afraid to barge in. Then, I found out for one entire test he had a hard time concentrating b/c he had to use the bathroom was hungry etc. Next time I was pretty assertive and firm about her needing to give him breaks (and I told her I would come in and interrupt and get him if I noticed a period of time without him getting a break) and I got him to be assertive well. He was assertive enough b/c I didn't have to go in and get him. Three seperate time he insisted on having a break. The breaks made a big difference for us, imo.

I would second Irena's advice. My DS6 is Dysgraphic, Vision issues, Anxiety and ADHD. MORE time available is always better. LOTS of breaks and snacks. Be sure to get some good protein in for all meals and any snacks you can.

For my child, he also needed MOTIVATION. He was "earning" for each subtest he completed and reminded of that with each. Both times we had a very flexible "child-oriented" tester who was aware and supportive of his challenges and allowing him to do his best work. At the end we went shopping and used his "test earnings" to set the budget for a new toy.

We were doing our last testing with an out of town specialist in gifted and 2e which affected the length of time we could use. Our tester helped us find a nearby (to the office) park where my son could blow off steam on breaks and we swam every night at the hotel in addition to using the gym. The tester was willing to stretch over as many days as we could and to change as the child needed for the length of the testing appointment.

Lastly, our tester "saved" subtests that required greater written output until the end of sessions.... If he began with anything that required a pencil, my son would massively shut down and not comply with subsequent tests.

I would certainly discuss your concerns with your tester and confirm that he/she would be supportive of providing some of these accommodations to allow your child to do his best.

Oh yes we did this too! Once again it is apparent we have the same kid! I am broke now - two collectible bionicles (Vezon and Fenrack) LOL

I have found that 'some' testers really resist the breaks... They push the child, make you feel badly for trying to get breaks, etc. I have noticed (in my limited experience) it is usually when insurance is covering the cost...or maybe I just got so much more firm and assertive about and it was coincidence that the one I was paying out of pocket was more flexible and accomodating about breaks - not sure. But I realize now, I should have always been that pushy - really makes a difference, imho.

I arranged for them to test no longer than approximately 50 to 60 minutes. To be sure, we had to make the drive many times to complete all the testing, but I felt like we were better served by keeping the testing short and sweet.

I also promised my children the Lego toy of their choice if the tester said they had done their best. I explained, and emphasized that the reward was for best efforts, NOT getting all the answers correct.

Short sessions and a reward seemed to serve us very well. The kids did remarkably well on the testing, and most importantly, I wasn't left with the nagging feeling that HOW the test was administered compromised their results. Frankly, I don't even see the point of spending the time, energy, and money on testing if what is measured is a child's endurance or ability to perform while hungry and in need of stretching and a bathroom trip, not intelligence and achievement.