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