Other important information about Evaluations:

• An evaluation can be completed without a prescription from your child's doctor
  
• Every effort is made to have discussions about your child when your child is not listening.
  
• A copy of the written report is sent to your child's doctor.
  
• You are encouraged to share the results with your child's teachers and other therapy providers.
  
• Your child should wear comfortable, stretchy clothes to allow for easy movement.
  
• When talking to a young child about the upcoming evaluation, you can describe it as "going to an exercise gym where he/she can show the adult there all that he/she can do"!
  
• Assure your child that you will be nearby during the evaluation.
  

Evaluations

 Some of the Evaluations Used include:

  The Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT)

  The DeGangi-Berk Test of Sensory Integration (TSI)

  The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2)

  The Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) and the SPM-Preschool (SPM-P)

  Clinical Observations of Motor and Postural Skills (COMPS)
  The Test of Handwriting Skills

OT for Developing Kids, PLLC  5 Hemlock St. Latham, NY 12110  (518) 641-8188

Evaluations are a 3-step process at OT for Developing Kids

First, an initial discussion between you and the therapist takes place.  You will be asked to describe your concerns about your child. The therapist will ask about your child's developmental history and any past OT evaluations or treatment. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding your child's responses to sensory information. The goal of the initial consult is for the therapist to understand your concerns about your child and to determine the type of assessment which will best identify your child's needs.  This initial conversation can take place at the therapy center, in your home, or over the phone.  It typically takes around one hour for an initial consult.  Your child is not present for this part of the evaluation process.

For the second  step, you and your child will come to the therapy center for a performance-based assessment. This is one or more  standardized evaluations which assesses your child's ability to complete specific motor, sensory, visual-perceptual, and daily living tasks. Depending on the assessment tool(s) used, this step in the evaluation process may require one or two visits of approximately two hours. 

The third step, is another conversation between you and the therapist to discuss the results of the evaluation and to answer your questions. A written evaluation is given to you at this time (within 7 days of completion of the performance-based assessment).  Your child's performance on a standardized assessment is compared to that of same age peers.  A score is provided, representing your child's skill level in comparison to other children of the same age.  At this time, recommendations are made which may include intervention (individualized therapy), training in the use of sensory strategies, or no intervention if it is not needed.  You will be asked about your goals for your child so they can be incorporated into the therapy program.