What to Expect: A Guide to Your Testing Day at Portage Psychology

Deciding to pursue an evaluation for yourself or your child is a significant step toward getting the right support. It is completely normal to feel a mix of anticipation and a little bit of nervousness about what the actual "testing day" will look like.

At Portage Psychology, we view this process as a collaborative partnership. To help you feel fully prepared, we’ve broken down exactly what to expect, how to prepare, and how we work together to ensure the best possible results.

1. Timing and Schedule: How Long Will It Take?

The length of the appointment depends on multiple factors. Some of the biggest factors are the type of evaluation being completed and the age of the client. Because we want to capture a complete, accurate picture, we don't rush the process.

• Comprehensive Learning or Autism Evaluations: These are thorough and robust, typically lasting about as long as a standard school day.

• ADHD Evaluations: These are generally more targeted and are often completed within a half-day.

• Start Time: Most of our testing appointments begin around 9:00 AM.

2. Your Child Might Even Enjoy It!

If you are bringing a child in, you might be worried they will find the day grueling. We have good news: Many children will say this is no worse than a day of school, and some even say it is better! Even if it isn’t better than a day of school, children often find some of the activities enjoyable. 

Our clinicians are highly skilled at keeping engagement high. We use different forms of technology that many kids find captivating. We intentionally build in breaks and do everything we can to make the day genuinely enjoyable. When a child is comfortable and having fun, they perform at their best—which is crucial, because a relaxed environment allows us to obtain the most valid, accurate results.

3. How to Prepare for Success

To get the most out of your investment of time and financial resources, a little preparation goes a long way. Here is a quick checklist for the day of your appointment:

💤 Start the Night Before

Attempt to get a good night's sleep and start the day with a healthy breakfast. Restful sleep helps with overall functioning, and we want you or your child to be at your best during the appointment. 

🍳 Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Starting your day off with a nutritious breakfast will prime your brain for the various tasks you will be asked to complete and should reduce any hunger pains until lunch! 

👚 Dress in Layers

Our offices are climate-controlled, but everyone's internal thermostat is a little different. Please dress comfortably and in layers so you or your child can easily adjust if you feel a bit too warm or too cool.

🍎 Pack Snacks and Water

Brainpower requires fuel! You are absolutely welcome to bring water and favorite snacks. For many of our tasks, casual snacking is perfectly fine. (Just note that there are a few specific tasks where we will ask the client to briefly set food and drinks aside).

💊 Check Your Medication Plan

If you or your child takes prescribed medication—especially for an attention disorder—please discuss the best approach with your clinician prior to testing day. Depending on the specific history and the core reasons for the evaluation, we may recommend taking or skipping medication on the day of testing. We want to ensure we have a clear plan tailored to your specific situation.

🤒 Prioritize Wellness

If you or your child is waking up under the weather, please notify us as soon as possible to reschedule. We want our clients feeling 100% so we can capture their true capabilities.

4. A Note on Language: The "No-Testing" Rule

If you are preparing a child for their visit, we have one special request: Please refrain from using the words "testing" or "evaluation."

For many kids, those words instantly trigger academic anxiety or a fear of "failing." Instead, you can let them know they are going to meet with someone who helps figure out how different brains learn best, and that they will be doing a variety of activities like puzzles, word games, and looking at patterns. Keeping it casual helps reduce unnecessary anxiety before they even step through our doors.

Our Promise to You

We know that an evaluation is a significant commitment. Our goal is to provide a warm, stress-free environment that yields the most valid, precise results possible—giving you the clear recommendations and actionable insights you need to move forward with confidence.

If you have any questions as your appointment approaches, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office. We look forward to working with you!