Special Education Process

What to Expect With Testing

Erin Crawford
Posted on June 26, 2026

The testing process can evoke a lot of anxiety. To help reduce that anxiety, let this guide help prepare you for what to expect for the various components of the testing process.

  1. Intake:  This is the first part of the process. We obtain background information regarding your child’s history to identify the primary concern or concerns and the specific questions we hope to answer through testing. We will share fees, appointment timelines, and provide consent paperwork if both parties decide to move forward. Next we will send a background information form to gather more detailed information regarding your child’s educational, medical, and psychological history.
  2. Testing Sessions:  During the testing session, we collect objective data regarding your child’s cognitive and emotional functioning. This often includes tasks in the form of puzzles, questionnaires, and interactive tasks to challenge their abilities. It is always advised to ask whether medication should be used on the day of testing.
  3. Results Session:  During this session, we will review the data obtained during the testing sessions. More importantly, we will discuss the implications of this data, any diagnoses given, and recommendations based on that as well. This will typically last approximately one hour. The results session can be done via zoom or in person.

The goal of testing is to answer specific questions regarding any particularl difficulties your child may have. Most often, we are able to establish a sound course of intervention based on the data obtained. In some instances though, additional testing may need to be conducted to further refine diagnostic hypotheses.

Still have questions? Let's talk.

Every child is different, and general information only goes so far. Reach out for a free consultation and we'll talk through what you're seeing together.

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Still have questions? Let's talk.

Erin Crawford, Licensed Educational Psychologist serving Marin County and the Bay Area

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