How do I prepare for an evaluation?

To prepare for the day:

Please know, it sounds scary but it is actually not as bad as it sounds. This meeting we will be discussing the process, your history, specifics of your case, symptoms, and go over the intake document. You will be asked to participate in some activities, pen/paper testing, and some additional assessments on the computer. You will be tired, but we will take breaks. Any questions, please let me know.

GENERAL:

1. Please arrive on-time or earlier.

2. Please take all your medications as prescribed. However, if you are typically given a sedative, anti-anxiety, attention/stimulant, or other medication that can either sedate or increase activity, let's talk. We will need to see if you should take it immediately or wait a bit until the middle of testing, so it doesn't affect your results.

3. If you have smoked marijuana or used other recreational substances, please let me know ASAP, as that will affect results and I will have to mitigate or adjust for it.

4. Do your normal routine, sleep, breakfast, meditation, coffee, etc.

5. If you don't feel well, are more fatigued than usual, please let me know.

6. If you are undergoing a lot more stress or something happens on your way to the evaluation, let me know.

7. Dress in layers, the temperature can fluctuate.

8. Bring a snack, but we have coffee, tea, water, sparkling water and some snacks (not healthy though, sorry!).

9. Bring any glasses, hearing aids, or other support devices.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS (as with any illness), if testing in-person

1. Please review the CDC guidelines COVID-19 prescreen questions. If you have any of these, or other symptoms of illness, please contact me and we can reschedule ASAP until these are gone. I don't want results to be skewed by you not feeling well.

2. We may have to take your temperature.

3. Bring your mask if you would like. I will wear a mask if you prefer as well.

4. If you want to wear gloves, I will have some and wear some as well.

5. I have hand sanitizer for you to use.

6. I do and will wipe down the table, all pencils, pens, materials, and your chair before you need to sit.

7. I have been vaccinated, but I get tested weekly for your/others' comfort. I will also take an at-home test the morning of our appointment If something comes up, I will let you know ASAP.

DURING TESTING:

1. Remember, this time is about you. You are the person who is the focus. Ask questions if you have some. If I can answer them, I will. Sometimes there are things I am unable to answer for various reasons, but I will tell you this.

2. I will never over-test. Once I have an answer in a specific domain, I will move on.

3. Testing is meant to assess various aspects of your cognition. This means that many times testing doesn’t allow for a 100%, it is just meant to push you as hard as you can and not 100% is available.

4. All measures assess multiple things so it is no really easy answer. With this in mind - try your hardest and put forth your best effort. I want to be able to say that your testing is an accurate representation of your functioning, not that effort was a struggle.

5. I may seem highly focused when we talk, or kind of chaotic at times. I may be very direct and possibly quickly redirect the conversation. It is only so that I can get as much information and give my focus to you during this time with testing.

6. If you need to get up and stretch, smoke a cigarette, get a drink…let me know. Usually there is no issue, but sometimes there are timed-tests and I will ask you to wait for a minute or two before you leave.

7. If you need to get up to adjust yourself due to pain, just let me know.

8. You may be tired though after testing. Sometimes people need to sleep after testing. Go for it.

Again feel free to call the office at 619-374-4140 or email the office if there are any issues.