1. Intake
Once you have chosen Chology as your preferred service provider, we will get in touch to ask you questions about your child's difficulties and a bit of background information.
You will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire, which will help us to determine the types of tests required for your child's assessment.
2. Booking your sessions
You can choose how you would like to spread out your child's testing appointments and the duration of each booking. Many children are able to complete up to 2 hours of testing in a single session. If your child is younger and/or more distractible, you may choose to shorten sessions to 60 mins (or even less, if required).
We recommend booking testing sessions on consecutive days for the sake of continuity and to progress with support more quickly. However, it is fine to space sessions out over several weeks if this option is better suited.
3. Meet your psychologist
Your child will be allocated to the most appropriate clinician based on your child's assessment requirements.
Once booked in, you will receive further information about your psychologist. This information will include a short bio and personal contact details, should you have any direct questions for him or her prior to the initial booking.
4. Child testing sessions
During the the first session, your psychologist will sit down with you and your child (via Coviu videoconference) for a proper introduction and to establish rapport. It is important for your psychologist to build a connection with your child prior to testing. We have found that our psychologists are able to build just as strong a connection with families via video-link as they could in person.
Our tests do not require children to interact with any complex computer programs. Once the video call has been connected, your child will not need to touch the computer.
We will give your child breaks throughout each session. It might be helpful to have a light snack ready in case he or she becomes hungry (eg. apple slices, juice, crackers).
*Note: most children are able to get through testing sessions independently and with relative ease. Caregivers of these kids are free to go about their daily business but should remain within earshot of the child.
Some children require closer caregiver supervision during testing sessions. Our psychologists will provide more detailed instructions for these caregivers prior to testing.
5. Report writing
Your psychologist will begin constructing a clinical report once testing is completed and all caregiver and teacher forms have been received.
Your child's report is arguably the most important product of the assessment. It is the tool used to illustrate your child's strengths and weaknesses, guide interventions and treatment, communicate with other health professionals and school staff, and apply for funding and additional supports.
The information provided in the final report can make or break an assessment. This is the document that will help you make a meaningful difference in your child's life. If you would like to know more about our reports or see an example, please send an enquiry below.
6. Feedback & development
Once your child's report has been finalised, you will be invited attend a feedback session with your psychologist. During this session, your psychologist will go through the report in detail, provide explanations and education, help you understand exactly what is going on for your child, and give practical guidance on what to do next.
7. Follow-up guidance and support
The amount of information provided in the report and feedback session can be overwhelming for some caregivers. You may need a few days to sit with the results before coming back with any questions.
We aren't going anywhere! Your psychologist welcomes any follow-up queries and will assist you in any way they can moving forward.
8. Progress monitoring
Chology can provide a re-assessment after several months or years to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and measure your child's progress.
Please let your psychologist know if you are interested in this service or get back in touch with us later down the track.
