Assessment

Assessments are selected according to the child’s needs. The methods will be discussed during the initial contact. They may involve the following:

• Telephone consultation with parents or carers
• Questionnaires from parents/carers and school staff
• Discussion with the child and parents/carers
• Observation of the child during different activities
• Sensory profiles
• Standardised and non-standardised assessments to assess gross motor skills, fine motor skills, visual-motor skills, visual-perceptual skills, handwriting, sensory processing and behaviour
• Assessment of self care skills and daily living skills, e.g. dressing, cleaning teeth, shoe laces, handwriting, play and school performance.
• Observations of the child or young adult in their setting, not in a clinic setting, e.g. school, college, home.  This means that an assessment is individual and reflects the person’s needs.

Report and Recommendations

After an occupational therapy assessment is completed, a written report is completed and provided, with consent, to relevant professionals.  This includes:

• Occupational therapy report
• Recommendations and individual therapy programme
• Advice and activity ideas
• If appropriate, expert witness report (tribunals and court reports).

Interventions

Intervention uses a range of approaches. The selection of these depends on the findings from the assessment.   All occupational therapy intervention is individual and specific to the person’s needs:  

• Sensory integration therapy.
• Development of motor skills – balance, coordination, posture, muscle tone, body awareness, fine motor skills.
• Handwriting skills.
• Visual motor skills and visual perceptual skills.
• Advice on independent living skills, e.g. self care skills (toileting, dressing, cleaning teeth, eating and drinking), community living skills.
• Ideas for play and development.
• Equipment to facilitate function.
• Sensory diet.
• Classroom layout and design, adapting activities, equipment for school.
• School and home programmes to develop skills.
• Early intervention.
• Recommendations for exam concessions.

Other Services

• Training for staff groups, parent groups or charities
• Consultation on classroom and child care settings to include children with special needs.
• Consulting schools or professionals about special or additional needs