A guide to using Sylva’s tests

Our behavioural assessments are designed to help you understand your child's unique neurological profile in just one evening – a process that traditionally takes months through formal channels. These aren't diagnostic tools, but they provide crucial insights that can transform how you support your child whilst you navigate longer-term pathways.

Complete assessments when you're calm and focused Choose your moment carefully. Behavioural assessments work best when you can give them your full attention without the pressure of immediate crises or daily rushing around.

Set aside at least an hour when you won't be interrupted – perhaps after your child has gone to bed or during a quiet weekend morning. You want to be in a headspace where you can reflect thoughtfully rather than react to today's particular challenges.

Consider having a cup of tea and taking a few deep breaths before you start. This isn't about getting "perfect" answers – it's about accessing your deeper knowledge of your child when you're not in survival mode.

Think about patterns over time, not yesterday's meltdown This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of getting accurate, helpful results. Every child has difficult days, and every child surprises us sometimes with their responses. The assessments are looking for your child's typical patterns across different situations and over time.

When a question asks about social interactions, for example, don't think about the one time your child was confident at a party. Think about how they generally respond to new social situations, busy environments, or unfamiliar people. Consider their behaviour across different contexts – home, school, family gatherings, shops, or other children's houses.

If you're struggling to identify patterns, try thinking about it this way: if a teacher who didn't know your child asked you to prepare them for having your child in their class, what would you say? What would you want them to understand about how your child typically responds to various situations?

Remember that patterns can include positive traits too. If your child consistently shows empathy, has intense interests they pursue for hours, or demonstrates remarkable attention to detail, these are important patterns that reveal strengths alongside challenges.

Be honest about the difficult bits Many parents and carers worry about being "too negative" about their child, but honest responses lead to better support strategies. If your child struggles with transitions, finds certain textures overwhelming, or has frequent emotional outbursts, acknowledging these patterns helps create more effective support approaches.

This doesn't mean you're being disloyal to your child or focusing only on problems. Understanding challenges helps you anticipate difficulties and put support in place before crisis points. It's actually deeply loving to seek better understanding of how to help your child thrive.

Consider input from multiple perspectives If you live with a partner, consider doing some assessments together or comparing your responses afterwards. Sometimes we each notice different aspects of our child's behaviour, and combining perspectives gives a more complete picture.

You might also want to reflect on feedback you've received from teachers, grandparents, or other regular carers. While you shouldn't let others' opinions override your parental insight, considering whether others have noticed similar patterns can help confirm your observations.

Take breaks if you need them Assessment tools can be emotionally intensive. You're reflecting deeply on your child's experiences, some of which might be challenging or worrying. It's completely normal to need a break, especially if questions bring up concerns you've been trying not to think about.

If you find yourself getting upset or overwhelmed, save your progress and come back later. The insights will be more valuable when you can engage with them from a calm, reflective place rather than an anxious one.

Don't second-guess yourself too much Trust your parental knowledge. You know your child better than anyone else, and you've observed them across more situations and over more time than any professional ever will. While it's worth taking time to think carefully about responses, don't get stuck endlessly debating every answer.

If you're genuinely unsure about something, go with your first instinct or the response that reflects what happens most often. You can always retake assessments later if your understanding of your child's patterns changes.

Share results strategically with relevant people The profiles and insights generated from behavioural assessments are designed to be shared – but share them strategically with people who are in a position to support your child better.

For school staff: Your child's teacher and SENCO can use detailed profiles to understand your child's needs, triggers, and effective strategies. This is particularly valuable at the start of new school years or when changing schools. As one SENCO told us: "These profiles help me quickly understand what each child needs rather than spending weeks trying to work it out."

For healthcare professionals: When you eventually access formal assessment services, having detailed behavioural profiles can provide valuable background information. Many professionals appreciate parents and carers who come prepared with systematic observations rather than general concerns.

For family members: Grandparents, aunts and uncles, or family friends who regularly care for your child can provide much better support when they understand your child's particular needs and successful strategies.

For your child: Depending on their age and developmental stage, sharing appropriate insights with your child can help them understand themselves better. Many neurodivergent young people find it reassuring to understand why certain things feel difficult for them and to learn that their differences aren't their fault.

Keep records for future reference Save copies of your assessment results and any insights or strategies that prove particularly helpful. Children's needs evolve as they grow, and it's valuable to track patterns over time. You might notice that strategies that worked at age 6 need adjusting by age 8, or that certain traits become more or less prominent as your child develops.

Use results as a starting point for deeper conversations The real value of behavioural assessments often comes from the conversations they enable. Use the insights to have more specific discussions with your AI coach about strategies, to ask more targeted questions of professionals, or to help school staff understand your child's particular profile.

Instead of saying "my child struggles socially," you might now be able to say "my child finds group conversations overwhelming but connects well in one-to-one situations, particularly when discussing their special interests." This specificity leads to much more helpful responses and support strategies.

Remember: understanding, not labelling The goal of behavioural assessments isn't to collect labels or fit your child into categories. It's to develop better understanding of how your child experiences the world, what they need to thrive, and what strategies are most likely to be effective for your particular child.

This understanding helps you advocate more effectively, support more strategically, and parent with greater confidence during what can be a very challenging and uncertain time.