What's an evaluation like?

What to expect from your evaluation appointments:

 
During one or more online interviews, you will be asked about your current concerns, specific symptoms or problems, family background, and medical history. The in-person testing appointment will take several hours (2-8) and will assess thinking skills, as well as emotional and behavioral functioning. 

 
During the testing session, you will be asked to solve puzzles, answer questions, and complete paper-and-pencil activities and computer tasks. 

 
When you visit with one of our providers, other staff members may be present during that appointment. Sometimes your provider may work with a medical scribe, who takes notes during your session and may assist with scheduling and other coordination of care needs. 

 
What is a scribe? A scribe works side by side with the practitioner as a documentation and throughput assistant. The scribe can accompany the practitioner into the session and document the practitioner-client encounter as it is verbalized by the practitioner and client. The practitioner may also dictate the client encounter to the scribe. Additionally, the scribe can gather data for the doctor including (but not limited to) medical notes, prior records, and testing results, facilitating the efficiency of the client’s visit. A scribe cannot act independently, but simply documents the practitioner's conversation and/or activities and relays information and cues back to the doctor during the visit.

 
Any notes the scribe takes will be marked as such with the following verbiage: "Entered by Wen Matthews-Naumann, acting as scribe for DR. Erin Mark." 

 
Preparing for child testing appointment/what to bring:

A child evaluation typically lasts 4-8 hours and takes place over one or two days. At least one parent or guardian is required to be in clinic at all times while a child is being evaluated. Toddlers and preschoolers may be told they are going to meet a new doctor, complete some puzzles, and play some games. Reassure children that they will not receive any shots. Older children and adolescents may be told they will spend their day working with a doctor and completing different types of activities. Activities may include puzzles, games, answering questions, filling out forms, and talking to the doctor who will typically ask about home, friends, school, and relationships. 

If your child asks, “Why do I have to do this?” you can explain that this evaluation helps to identify what they do best, along with those things that may be harder for them. By identifying their strengths and weaknesses, we can give them the support they need to succeed at school and feel better at home, at school, and with friends. Assure your child that there is no “passing or failing” and let them know that many children find the tasks fun. 

It is important your child is well-rested and able to do their best for the evaluation. If you or your child are not feeling well, PLEASE RESCHEDULE. We can usually reschedule your appointment quickly. 

• Please make sure your child eats a good breakfast prior to the evaluation. 
• Please administer or bring any regularly scheduled medication the morning. 
• Bring a sweater/light jacket in the event your child gets cold. 
• If your child wears prescription glasses or hearing devices, please bring those to the appointment. 

There will be a 30-min break for lunch. There are many dining options available within the immediate area, by car. Your child can take a break any time. You may bring lunch/snacks/drinks from home. NO NUTS, please! Please do not bring small children with you to the evaluation. 

What information or documents should I bring to my child’s evaluation? 

• Completed parent and teacher forms which you received in the mail prior to your  visit. Please give teacher forms to your child’s main/primary teacher to complete. 
• Medical and mental health records 
• School Records (IEP documents or 504 Plan, report cards, MEAP, other standardized test scores). 
• Therapy/intervention reports (Speech, Occupational, Physical, Psychological/Behavioral Health).      

 
Preparing for an Adult testing appointment: 

An adult evaluation typically lasts 4-8 hours and, in most cases, can be completed in one day. 

It is important that you are well-rested and able to do your best for the evaluation. If you are sick or feel unwell, please contact us to reschedule your appointment. We can usually reschedule your appointment quickly. Please take or bring any regularly scheduled medication. 

Please bring or wear prescription glasses and any prescribed hearing devices. There will be a 30-min break for lunch. There are many dining options available within the immediate area, by car. You can take a break any time. You may bring snacks/drinks from home. NO NUTS, please! 

What information or documents should I bring to my evaluation? 

• Completed self and family-rating forms that you received in the mail prior to your visit. 
• Medical and mental health records, reports from specialty evaluations 
• List of current medications