Testing Considerations

explain why middle aged and elderly adults are not accustomed to being tested

middle aged and elderly adults are not tested as frequently as children are, and adults are used to highlighting their strengths, not their weaknesses. aphasia assessments are constructing a situation where they will fail to identify their weaknesses.

explain why a client could feel uncomfortable or devalued as an older person if the clinician is younger

many cultures have age dynamics, and it’s important to be aware of them and be as respectful as possible. build rapport with clients

what are 5 main things you can do to reduce a patient’s test anxiety?

• build rapport BEFORE beginning formal testing

• explain the purpose of the assessment

• provide general encouragement rather than feedback about success or failure

• acknowledge frustration as normal

• keep the score sheet hidden and make a notation for each response

explain what you can do to build rapport BEFORE beginning formal testing

learn about the patient and their interests

what can you do to explain the purpose of the assessment to the patient?

tell the patient we are doing this to figure out what they’re having difficulty with and what they’re doing well with to help structure therapy goals

explain what you can do to provide general encouragement rather than feedback about success or failure

instead of saying “right” or “great”, say “good effort” or “thanks for hanging in with me”

explain what you can do to acknowledge that frustration is normal for the patient

it’s vulnerable to be assessed when you’ve lost a skill, so be empathetic. remind the patient we are trying to identify what is difficult. if the patient becomes very emotional, take a break or just wrap it up.

explain what you can do to prevent implicit feedback to the patient

keep the score sheet hidden and make a notation for each response