A typical Occupational Therapy (OT) evaluation consists of three components.

First is the collection of a client Case History. At Speech Pathway, this information is gathered before the evaluation begins through our initial intake form. This allows the evaluating Occupational Therapist (OT) to review your child’s medical history, developmental milestones, daily routines, education, and relevant information from teachers and other service providers. This background helps the OT better understand your child’s overall functioning prior to the evaluation.

Second, the Family Interview. Most OT evaluations begin with a family interview. This provides time to review and clarify the information submitted on the intake form, explore parental or caregiver concerns, and identify specific goals for treatment. Families are encouraged to share observations about their child’s participation in daily activities such as self-care, play, school, and social interactions. This discussion helps guide the evaluation process and ensures treatment plans are tailored to the child’s individual needs.


Finally, the administration of standardized and/or non-standardized measures. Standardized testing may be used when appropriate to provide objective data about your child’s fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care abilities, and overall functional participation. These measures are often required by insurance companies as part of service authorization. However, standardized assessments are not always suitable for every child, so parent questionnaires, skilled clinical observations, play-based assessments, and criterion-referenced checklists may be used instead. These non-standardized tools allow the OT to gather valuable information about your child’s strengths and challenges in natural, meaningful contexts.

There are many reasons a child should be referred for an occupational therapy evaluation. Many families are surprised to find out their child may benefit from OT services, as they often chalk up difficulties with motor skills, self-care, or sensory regulation to personality, “clumsiness,” or just a phase. It is also common for parents to be so focused on other medical conditions or therapy needs that they overlook challenges that fall under occupational therapy.

A child should be referred for an occupational therapy assessment if he or she has the following symptoms:

• Demonstrates difficulty with fine motor tasks such as holding a pencil, using scissors, or manipulating small objects.
• Struggles with self-care skills like dressing, using utensils, brushing teeth, or toileting.
• Shows signs of sensory processing challenges, such as being overly sensitive to sounds, textures, or movement, or appearing under-responsive to sensory input.
• Has poor balance, coordination, or core strength compared to peers.
• Tires quickly when completing everyday tasks or avoids them altogether.
• Displays difficulty with transitions, routines, or regulating emotions in daily activities.
• Appears clumsy, trips often, or has trouble with age-appropriate gross motor activities like running, climbing, or catching a ball.
• Avoids play activities that require fine or gross motor skills.
• Struggles to keep up with peers in the classroom due to motor or sensory challenges.
• Has changes in motor abilities or functional skills following an illness, injury, or surgery.

The listed items above are not comprehensive, and we strongly advise families to seek out a screening if they have any concerns regarding their child’s motor development, self-care skills, or sensory processing.