What To Expect During Diagnostic Testing and Assessment

Diagnostic Testing and Assessment is a helpful tool for families to better understand themselves and their children. In addition to formal diagnoses, these assessments enable us to recognize your child’s unique strengths and needs, and to provide insight into the best ways to support their development. At Blue Bird Day, our assessments are not a cookie cutter process- we work with parents, teachers, coaches, and our team of therapists (if your child is enrolled in Blue Bird Day, Eyas Landing, or Merlin Day Academy) to get a well-rounded view of your child’s behaviors and symptoms. We may also ask about sensory preferences or special interests to help your child feel more comfortable during testing.

Starting the process of Diagnostic Testing can be stressful and overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this. The Blue Bird Day team is here to help every step of the way and available to answer any questions throughout the assessment process.

Here’s what you can expect from our Diagnostic Testing:

First Appointment: Intake

For the initial visit, our clinical psychologist will complete an hour-long intake session. During intake, we discuss any concerns or questions you have and gather information about your child’s medical, social, school, and therapy history. This meeting can be done virtually or in-person, based on your preference.

Second Appointment: In-Person Evaluation(s)

After intake, our clinical psychologist completes at least one – and up to three – in-person evaluation sessions. These sessions are tailored to unique testing goals designed for your child and include standardized assessments in a private room with our diagnostic testing team. The number of sessions will depend on your child’s age. Typically, younger clients participate in fewer sessions and older clients participate in more sessions.

Third Appointment: Feedback Session

This meeting takes place about 4-5 weeks after the initial intake meeting. Our clinical psychologist will walk you through all the findings from the evaluation including overall impressions, information gleaned from testing, and any diagnoses. We outline your child’s unique strengths and areas of need to help support you going forward. You receive a copy of the testing report for future review and use. This session delivers a lot of information to process and the Blue Bird Day team is here to answer any questions or clarify any data. Follow-up appointments are available for further discussions, and we’re always here to help.

A formal diagnosis is a helpful tool to qualify for services, but your child is so much more than a diagnosis. Each child is a cherished individual whose unique talents deserve to be celebrated at the same time their specific needs are met and new goals reached. To achieve the best outcomes, the Blue Bird Day team always provides the highest level of collaborative, multi-disciplinary, and well-rounded care. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule Diagnostic Testing, please contact us.

Our services don’t have to stop after the evaluation. One unique support that we provide is ongoing consultation services with your child’s team. We can work alongside the therapeutic teams at Blue Bird Day, Eyas Landing, and Merlin Day Academy to develop interventions and provide support for your child based on their unique brain and relational styles. Advocacy supports, including attending IEP meetings, and discussions with school staff or outside providers are also available. These consultations services are aimed at helping outside providers develop a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the child and access accommodations and interventions that will help them thrive. We use our test results and background in evidence-based interventions to advocate for the best services available for your child.