What to Expect During Your Child’s Autism Assessment: A Parent’s Guide
Parents often ask me, “What will happen during the actual testing appointment with my child?” Many parents want to know how to prepare their child and themselves for this day. The reality is that this can be a big day for both you and your child. So, hopefully, this guide can help put your mind at ease. If you’re looking for an overview of the evaluation, you can also read about the complete Autism diagnostic process here.
Arriving and Getting Settled
When you arrive for your testing appointment, I’ll greet you and your child in the lobby, and we will walk to the testing room together. Depending on your child’s age, I may ask you to stay in the testing room with us and participate briefly. Don’t worry! It won’t be anything too extravagant. I may just ask you to say a few quick words or show me a routine you do with your child. I know that I’m a brand new person to your child, so it can be helpful to see them interact with you.
The testing is designed to feel like play. I absolutely do NOT want it to feel like school or something they will be graded on, because that is really not what this is for. I will usually have very specific activities set up to do with your child. For younger children, this will involve a lot of toys. For older children and teens, we usually still use some toys! But it also typically involves more conversation to get to know them better and how they understand the world around them.
What I’m Observing
During the testing activities, I will be giving what’s known as “social presses.” This means that I will be doing a certain action or saying a certain phrase during the activity to see how your child responds. There are no right or wrong answers here. The social presses are simply designed to help me understand your child’s communication, social interaction, sensory processing, and overall behavior. I’ll explain my observations in our final feedback session and in the report that you receive.
Your Role During the Appointment
During the testing appointment, I may also ask you to complete some questionnaires. Although the specific questionnaires may vary depending on the child, these allow me to gather additional information helpful for the assessment. I have also found this part of the process to be helpful for parents. Sometimes new observations may come up after our first meeting, and the questionnaires give you space to share them.
How Long the Appointment Takes
The testing appointment may be scheduled for 2-3 hours, depending on the age and needs of your child. For younger children, it can be helpful to tell them that they are going to play with a new person today. For older children, you may want to help them understand why the assessment is happening. I consider Autism to be a very important part of someone’s identity, and involving your child in the process to understand this part of themselves can be very meaningful.
Preparing for the Day
A good night’s sleep and a predictable morning routine can make the day feel smoother. We’ll take it one step at a time during the assessment. Please know that I always prioritize your child’s safety, trust, and comfort. I will never force them to complete an activity or do a certain action for the testing. If something feels too difficult or overwhelming, I can always adjust my approach so I can still gather the information I need in a way that feels respectful and supportive.
My hope is that the assessment feels engaging and even fun for your child. And for you, I hope it feels like a collaborative process where your insights and observations truly matter.
See what the complete Autism diagnostic process includes.