If a client struggles with the first two tasks of a cognitive-perceptual assessment, what should the therapist do?

The most appropriate action for a therapist when a client struggles with the first two tasks of a cognitive-perceptual assessment is to continue the evaluation as per protocol. This approach ensures that the assessment captures a comprehensive view of the client's abilities across various tasks, which can include different aspects of cognitive-perceptual functioning.

Continuing with the evaluation allows the therapist to gather more data, which can be essential for identifying specific challenges the client faces and for planning effective interventions. The results from subsequent tasks might shine a light on areas where the client can perform better or reveal patterns in their cognitive processes that are not apparent from the initial struggles.

In assessments, sometimes initial difficulties do not fully represent a client's capabilities or potential but may instead arise from anxiety, unfamiliarity with the task, or other situational factors. Therefore, adhering to the protocol provides a more rounded understanding of the client's functioning.

It’s important for the therapist to maintain a structured assessment process to derive valid information that will inform treatment planning, thus ensuring that they can tailor their approach to effectively meet the client’s needs based on comprehensive data.