How to Prepare Your Child for an ADHD Assessment
A parent-friendly guide that turns an unknown appointment into a confidence-building experience.
🌱 Why Preparation Matters
An ADHD assessment is not the type of appointment most families do every day. For many children the idea of “going to see someone who’ll ask questions” feels strange; for parents it can stir equal parts relief, worry, and hope. Thoughtful preparation does three powerful things:
Reduces anxiety—when a child knows roughly what will happen, the session starts on calm footing.
Improves accuracy—well-rested, well-fed children perform closer to their true ability, giving clinicians clearer data.
Builds partnership—your involvement signals that this is a team effort, not something “done” to your child.
Below you’ll find a step-by-step approach that blends practical logistics with emotional readiness, so your child—and you—arrive feeling informed and empowered.
1. Start With a Positive Story
Begin the conversation a few days beforehand, when everyone is relaxed—perhaps over dinner or during a quiet drive.
Try saying:
“Next Tuesday we’re visiting a psychologist called Dr Kim. She’s great at understanding your strengths and challenges. You’ll get to play some thinking games and show her what you’re awesome at. Afterwards she’ll give us ideas to make things easier.”
Keep it short, upbeat, and centered on help rather than “testing” or “finding problems.” Children often mirror your tone; if you frame the appointment as interesting and useful, they’re more likely to walk in curious instead of fearful.
2. Preview the Day in Concrete Terms
Kids feel safer when they can picture the process:
Location & faces: Show a photo of the clinic building or waiting room from the practice website.
Time: Explain how long the visit lasts in relatable chunks: “About as long as a movie.”
Activities: Describe the kinds of tasks—puzzles, memory games, looking at pictures, answering questions—emphasising that there are breaks and no one can “fail.”
You’ll be nearby: Clarify that you’ll stay close (in the waiting area or invited into part of the session) and can be summoned any time.
If your child likes predictability, jot the sequence on an index card: Arrive → meet Dr Kim → brain games → snack break → more games → done.
3. Prime the Body: Sleep, Food, Movement
The day before, focus on the three fundamentals that sharpen attention:
Sleep
Aim for the regular bedtime. Avoid late-night screens that push back melatonin release. A warm shower and a favourite audio story can settle pre-appointment nerves.
Food
On assessment morning serve a protein-rich breakfast—eggs, yogurt with nuts, or peanut-butter toast. Protein stabilises blood sugar, giving the brain sustained fuel.
Movement
A brisk walk or ten minutes on the trampoline before you leave helps burn off excess energy and increases dopamine—the neurochemical that boosts focus.
These small physiological tweaks pay big dividends in sustained attention during the session.
4. Pack a Confidence-Boosting “Go Bag”
Children do best when they know they have familiar comforts at hand. Consider bringing:
A spill-proof water bottle and a small, non-sticky snack (cheese cubes, apple slices).
A silent fidget or stress ball for waiting periods.
Headphones with calming music if your child is noise-sensitive.
A short note or drawing you slip into their pocket: “You’ve got this!”
Knowing they can access their own tools reduces reliance on you in the room—often a plus for objective observation.
5. Gather the Paperwork Without the Panic
The clinician needs a rounded view. Collect:
Recent school reports, teacher emails, or work samples that illustrate strengths and struggles.
Any prior health assessments (hearing, vision, speech, OT).
A brief timeline of developmental milestones or major events (e.g., house move, sibling birth).
Your top three concerns written in bullet form—this focuses on the clinical interview.
Do this a few days in advance so the morning doesn’t become a frantic scavenger hunt.
6. Rehearse Calm-Down Strategies Together
The goal isn’t to eradicate nerves; it’s to equip your child with tools. Practise the following when they’re already calm, so retrieval feels natural later:
Box breathing: Trace a box in the air—inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4. Repeat thrice.
Body squeeze: Clench fists, count to five, release—working from toes to shoulders.
Positive statement: “I can try new things; mum/dad is right outside.”
Role-play using one strategy if they start to feel “wiggly” or “stuck” during the appointment.
7. Timing Is Everything
Whenever possible, book the session for the time of day your child functions best—often mid-morning for younger kids before fatigue sets in, or early afternoon for teens who need a slower start. Avoid stacking big events—sports carnival, birthday party—on the same day.
Leave the house ten minutes earlier than you think you need; an unhurried arrival sets the tone.
8. What To Do During the Assessment
Most clinicians prefer parents to stay in the waiting area after introductions. This allows the child to demonstrate independence and lets the psychologist see their authentic problem-solving style. While you wait:
Resist the urge to peek in; trust the process.
Use the time to complete parent questionnaires thoughtfully—specific examples trump general impressions.
If invited in for portions (often younger children), remain encouraging but neutral—let the psychologist guide.
9. The Post-Session De-Brief
On the way home:
Praise effort, not outcome: “You worked hard and kept going, even when the puzzles were tricky.”
Gauge feelings: Ask, “What part was fun? What was hard?” Listening first builds trust.
Normalise waiting: Explain that Dr Kim will spend time looking at all the information to give the best advice—just like teachers take time to mark projects.
Over the next week keep routine steady; big surprises can spike anxiety while they await results.
🔄 When the Report Arrives
Set aside quiet time to read through the findings. Highlight two positives your child will be proud of (e.g., strong verbal skills) before discussing any challenges. Frame recommendations as tools, not fixes: “The report says movement breaks help your brain focus—let’s add them to homework time.”
✔️ Quick Reference Checklist
□ Explain the visit in hopeful, simple language
□ Show photos of clinic / clinician if available
□ Normal bedtime and protein breakfast
□ Pack comfort kit and paperwork folder
□ Practise one calming strategy
□ Arrive early, stay relaxed, praise effort afterwards
Final Thoughts
Preparation turns an unfamiliar clinic visit into an empowering experience. By shaping expectations, meeting basic physical needs, and building a small toolkit of calming strategies, you help the psychologist see your child at their realistic best—and you teach your child that new situations are challenges they can master.
If you’re ready to schedule an ADHD assessment, or just want more personalised guidance, Gayton Psychology is here to walk alongside you—before, during, and after the appointment.
📞 0422 651 697 🌐 gaytonpsychology.com ✉️ katherine@gaytonpsychology.com
Confidence grows when preparation meets opportunity—let’s give your child both.