Suggestion for Gaining Rapport with Children who Appear Resistant to Testing

Summary

A story-drawing technique designed to gain rapport with children who appear resistant to testing is described. The technique involves the child with the examiner in a question answering procedure around the development of a picture the examiner draws for the child. The drawing has intrinsic interest, permitting the examiner to shape the set of responding to questions in an enjoyable, non-evaluative setting prior to the introduction of test materials. The drawing, requiring no artistic skill on the part of the examiner, is suitable for children up to about eight or nine years of age.