What does the Neuropsychological Testing process look like?
In a prior blog post, we discussed what neuropsychological testing is and why it can be helpful.
Here we would like to respond to a frequently asked question, “What can we expect in the testing process?” While processes can vary depending on the reason for the testing or other unique circumstances, most testing services include the following:
Intake Process
At Heritage, this is an online intake that is completed with our intake team to learn more about your concerns and to verify insurance benefits, etc. After this process is completed (including completing the consent form and putting a credit card on file), someone from the HPA team will reach out to you to schedule the appointments.
Intake: To complete an intake: fill out this form or call our intake desk: 630-325-5300.
Background form: This form needs to be completed prior to an appointment being scheduled as it helps us understand more about the concerns you have so that we can provide the best evaluation, focused on your specific needs or concerns.
The CHILD questionnaire (to be completed by a parent/guardian)
Diagnostic interview
(30-60 minutes in length) – this is the first testing appointment which can occur the same day of testing or on a different day. This initial diagnostic interview would be held either telehealth (zoom) or in person at the office and would include a Heritage testing psychologist/testing provider and either the client and/or the client’s parent/caregiver (if a child is being tested).
When a child is being tested, the parent also has the option to have this appointment alone with the testing provider. This can be particularly helpful in cases where there may be topics better discussed without the child present.
Testing
This is the appointment when your in person testing will occur. The length of this appointment will vary depending on the age of the client and the referral question/s. Most testing appointments are a few hours (sometimes 3-4ish hours in length; for younger children it is closer to 1.5-2 hours in length) and some testing referrals require more than 1 day of testing. Your testing provider will let you know how much time your testing will require. That may sound like a long time to spend at a doctor's office! For this reason we recommend bringing a water bottle and snacks to have as needed and make space for stretch breaks.
In some cases, a team approach is utilized where 1-2 testing providers may be involved in the case but all aspects of the testing from start to finish (diagnostic interview, testing, case conceptualization, report writing, testing feedback meeting) are under the supervision and oversight of a licensed clinical psychologist.
Often after direct testing with the testing provider, there also may be forms that the testing client needs to complete (which could add time to the testing appointment). Please check directly with your testing provider for an estimate of how long your testing appointment would likely take.
For child testing, one parent is often needed to remain on site to complete parent forms while the child is being tested. Some parents prefer to bring a laptop and get work done (or read a good book!) during their child’s testing once they are done with parent forms.
Once all testing is completed, it often takes a few weeks (approx. 4-6 weeks) for the testing data to be scored and the report to be written. This process can often be delayed if additional forms are needed (from teachers, family members, testing client, etc.), as the testing report cannot be finalized without this information.
Testing Feedback Meeting
This appointment is scheduled with you to review the testing results either in person or telehealth. The focus of this meeting is to review the testing results together and to discuss, based on the results, what would be the next steps in your/your family member’s care.
For child testing, the parent can decide if the child should be present for this testing feedback meeting or not. For older children, it is often a good idea for them to be present if their schedule permits. However, there may be some instances where the parent wants to hear the information first and to discuss it with the testing provider without the child present.
In the instances where the client is not present, it may be possible to schedule a second appointment to review the testing results with the child (in a condensed, age-appropriate manner) if the parents would like this option.
For more information please review our testing services offered at Heritage, or contact Dr. Sandy Kruse, Director of Heritage Diagnostic and Assessment Services (skruse@heritageprofessional.com).