Assessment Procedures

The Examiner

  • academic background
      * master’s degree in psychology or related field
      * if not, supervisor has master’s degree
  • personal characteristics
      * emotionally stable
      * mature
        * know strengths and limitations
      * patient
  • skills
      * communication (oral and written)
      * problem solving
      * work independently or with a team

Examiner Characteristics

  • tact
  • ingenuity
  • patience
  • understanding
  • warm
  • respect
  • knowledge of things clients are interested in
  • vigilance
  • self-awareness
  • interest in people
  • professional appearance
  • flexibility

Preparing for the Testing

  • understanding the referral question
  • review of case history
  • assemble a possible test battery

Testing Environment

  • private
  • well lit
  • quiet
  • comfortable
      * temperature
      * furniture
  • few or no distractions
  • furniture
      * table
      * chairs
      * stools or chairs
      * seating arrangement
  • materials
      * tests, record forms, and response sheets
      * pencils
      * extra paper
  • manage materials
      * placement
      * organization
  • familiarize
  • conform to administration rules
  • always present materials from client’s left to right
  • stimulus books right in front of the client

Establishing Rapport

  • introductions
      * establish eye contact (at eye level also)
      * introduce yourself
      * explaining the task
        * general with some specifics
        * what’s in it for the client?
        * your goals in the assessment
      * break and rest

Allaying Apprehension

  • get the child to express self ASAP
  • meet the client where he or she is
  • address fears and misconceptions
  • prompt laughter and light environment
  • set clear limits

Test Administrations

  • avoid nonverbal cues, unless prescribed by the test manual
  • avoid immediate feedback to the client regarding responses
  • conform to test administration rules
  • be flexible in changing tests used as impressions arise
  • use timer as need
  • be persistent when client is unresponsive
      * balance between task- and person-oriented stance
      * drop the task and build rapport (again) when there is resistance
  • record responses verbatim
      * ask client to slow down as necessary
      * clarify as needed
      * develop shorthand in recording
  • do not show scores to the child
  • score as soon as you can
  • take note of deviations from standard procedures
  • the issue of praise
      * no praises or incentives during testing
      * praise after test battery is completed
  • stretching tests for special purposes
      * giving praise
      * testing of limits
      * dropping time limits
      * giving cues or aids
      * administering other items