We can test for a variety of developmental differences across all ages, including adults! Common conditions or purposes for evaluation include:
Q: How long will I or my child be here?
A: That depends on the age of person being assessed, as well as the diagnostic question/concern. For a child who is 3 years old or younger you can expect to be here around 2-3 hours, with some of the time being interview with the parent/caregiver. For a child who is 4 and above, testing can range from 3-6 hours, again depending on the referral question.
Q: Why does the testing take so long?
A: At Silver Linings Neurodevelopment, we pride ourselves on providing thorough psychological and developmental assessments. This means that we have to take into consideration many different variables, including cognitive functioning, memory and language, mood/behavioral concerns, and academic abilities. Depending on the age of your child, these may take longer to assess than others.
Q: Will I be able to observe my child being tested?
A: Depending on the age of the child, a parent may be asked to remain in the room during the testing or be close by in case they are needed. If you have any concerns about your child and what they will need it is best to check with the technician who will be working with you. You may request to observe your child’s testing, but this may be subject to availability of rooms and equipment.
Q: Can I bring snacks/drinks?
A: Yes, definitely! Typically, children are here for at least 3 hours so it is perfectly fine to bring a snack along with you, particularly if there are any dietary restrictions.
Q: What about lunch?
A: The office is typically closed from 12-1 for lunch, but this time may vary by clinician. For testing, it is good to check with the technician regarding lunch time. During lunch break, you or your child leaves and goes to lunch on your own. It is important to have a nice break in order to maintain attention, as well as compliance for the kids!
Q: While my child is completing their testing, what do you need from me (parent)?
A: Typically, we have questionnaires for parents to complete as part of the evaluation process. These questionnaires are sometimes paper based and other times available on a computer for completion online. When available, parents typically can fill out questionnaires while they are here as well. However, if a parent is not available or does not have time to complete these forms can be emailed or mailed home.
It should be noted that we typically will have questionnaires for your child’s teacher to complete as well in order to get a more thorough picture of your child.
Q: What if I can’t come and need a friend or other family member to bring my child to the appointment?
A: While a parent or guardian being present is ideal, in some situations this may not be possible. In that case, we will need written consent for whomever will be bringing your child to the appointment. This form can be completed at our office, or you can find and print it here (put a link to the authorization to disclose here).
Q: Why can’t I research testing being given in advance?
A: It is highly recommended that patients do not research particular tests being administered before completing testing. This can lead to practice effects and interference and invalidate results.
Q: Should I or my child take their medications on the day of testing?
A: This will vary by person and depend on what your clinician specified. Typically, you or your child should take any kind of seizure medication, allergy, or mood/behavioral medication as normal, but we may request to see them off any stimulant or other attention medication. If you have any questions about this, please call our office or email your clinician.