The day of a psychological assessment is not something most families need to stress about — but it does help to go in prepared. Testing goes better when a child feels calm, rested, and has at least a basic idea of what to expect. This guide covers everything from how to explain the appointment to your child, to what to bring, to what the day actually looks like.
Start with How You're Feeling
Children pick up on parental anxiety faster than most parents realize. If you're nervous about what the evaluation might find, that's completely understandable — and it's worth recognizing before you try to explain the appointment to your child.
The goal for testing day isn't to project false certainty. It's to be calm and matter-of-fact. "We're going to visit someone who wants to learn how you think and learn, so they can help figure out the best ways to support you" is honest, low-pressure, and enough for most kids.
How to Talk to Your Child About the Appointment
The right explanation depends on your child's age and temperament.
For Toddlers and Preschoolers:
Keep it simple and concrete. "We're going to see Dr. Brinkley. She's going to play some games and do some activities with you." You can describe Dr. Brinkley like a teacher rather than a doctor, especially if your child fears doctor visits. Feel free to refer to her as Ms. Brinkley if that would be better for your child.
For younger children:
Simple and concrete is better here too. "We're going to see Dr. Brinkley. She's going to ask you some questions and do some activities with you. It's not like a test in school — you don't have to worry about getting everything right. I'll be close by the whole time."
For older children:
You can offer a bit more context. "She's going to do some activities with you like solving puzzles, answering questions, and things you have learned at school too like reading and math. It's going to take a few hours. We'll take breaks. The whole point is to understand how your brain works best."
For teenagers:
Teenagers often want more context and the honest reason. "We've noticed [specific thing] has been hard for you, and we want to understand why — not because anything is 'wrong' with you, but to figure out how to actually help. This will give us real information." Teens who feel included in the reasoning are much more likely to engage genuinely during the evaluation.
Things not to say, regardless of age:
"Just try your best, OK?" (creates performance pressure)
"Don't worry, it'll be fine" repeated over and over (signals that there's something to worry about)
"The doctor is going to figure out what's wrong with you" (framing it as finding something wrong)
What to Do the Night Before
Nothing dramatic needs to happen, but a few things make a real difference:
Sleep. Cognitive testing is genuinely demanding. A child who is tired will underperform in ways that may not reflect their actual abilities. Protect sleep the night before, even if it means a slightly earlier bedtime.
Limit screens before bed. Screen time close to bedtime disrupts sleep quality. The night before testing isn't the right time for an exception to whatever your usual screen limits are.
Don't over-prepare. Parents sometimes try to "practice" for the evaluation by quizzing their child on things they expect might come up. This can backfire — it creates pressure, and it can actually interfere with what the evaluation is trying to measure. No prep needed.
Keep dinner normal. A familiar meal and a predictable evening routine will serve your child much better than something special that signals this day is different and big.
Morning of the Appointment
Eat breakfast. A full meal before testing matters. Low blood sugar affects concentration and endurance. If your child is anxious and doesn't want to eat, offer something light — even a piece of toast or a banana — rather than skipping entirely.
Comfort over style. Dress your child in comfortable clothes. Testing involves sitting for extended periods, so physical comfort helps. This isn't a school picture day.
Arrive a few minutes early. A rushed arrival adds unnecessary stress. Giving your child a few minutes to get settled in the waiting area before the appointment begins makes the transition easier. Brinkley Psychology is located at 5006 Monument Avenue in Richmond — near St. Mary's Hospital and the Willow Lawn area — so plan your drive accordingly.
What to Bring
A snack for break time — especially if your child has dietary preferences or sensitivities
Something comforting for younger children (a small toy or fidget is fine)
If you haven't already sent background forms beforehand, please bring:
Any prior evaluations, reports, or assessments (school or medical)
A list of current medications, including dosages
Recent report cards or work samples, if you have them
Completed intake forms (if you haven't already submitted them)
A note on medications: If your child takes medication for ADHD or anxiety, check with the evaluating psychologist ahead of time about whether to administer it as usual on testing day. There's no universal answer — it depends on what questions the evaluation is trying to answer.
What the Day Actually Looks Like
A comprehensive psychological evaluation typically takes between three and nine hours, often split across two sessions. The child spends most of that time one-on-one with the psychologist, working through a variety of tasks — some verbal, some visual, some involving memory and processing.
Testing isn't a single long stretch. There are natural breaks built in, and a good evaluator will adjust the pace to the child's needs. Children are not expected to sit perfectly still for hours.
Parents are typically not in the testing room — but they're nearby to be readily available for support or comfort. Children often prefer to take their breaks from testing in the waiting room with their parents, which allows them to "disconnect" and rest more fully.
After the evaluation is complete, the psychologist compiles findings and you'll receive a feedback session to walk through the results, ask questions, and talk through recommendations. The psychologist writes a comprehensive written report that is typically completed in two to three weeks. The report is yours — it belongs to your family and can be shared with schools, pediatricians, or other providers as you see fit.
How to Frame the Report for Your Child
Once results are available, how you talk about them with your child matters. Focus on what the evaluation found about how their brain works — not just what label applies.
"The evaluation showed that your brain is really strong at [specific strength], and the reason [specific thing] has been hard is [clear explanation]. That actually makes a lot of sense, and here's what we're going to do to help."
Children who understand their own profile — who know why something is hard, not just that it's hard — tend to develop more resilience and self-advocacy over time.
Questions to Ask Before the Day
If you have questions about what to expect, the best time to ask is before the appointment — not on the day. At Brinkley Psychology, we're happy to walk through the process during your initial consultation, and we encourage Richmond-area families to come in with questions. Call us at 804-205-7624 or reach out by email at mbrinkley@brinkleypsychology.com.
Related reading: the different types of psychological assessments we offer.
