What exactly does an OT assessment involve? What should you expect, and how can it help your child?
At Little Lions Therapy, our goal is to make the process gentle, child-centred, and reassuring from beginning to end.
1. Every assessment begins with a detailed conversation with parents or caregivers. We talk about:
- your child’s strengths
- any challenges you’ve noticed
- daily routines at home and school
- goals you would like support with
This helps us build a full picture before we even meet your child.
2. Observing Your Child in Play
Children show their true abilities through play. During the session, your OT will observe:
- fine motor skills (grasp, drawing, handwriting, using cutlery)
- gross motor skills (balance, coordination, core strength)
- sensory processing
- attention and regulation
- self-care skills such as dressing
We use play-based tasks that help children feel comfortable rather than tested.
3. Standardised Assessments (Where Appropriate)
Depending on the child’s age and needs, we may use standardised assessments such as:
- Movement ABC
- DASH handwriting
- Sensory processing questionnaires
- Developmental checklists
These tools help us understand exactly how your child is performing is certain areas and how we can support them.
4. Clear, Practical Feedback
- After your session, we provide clear supportive feedback:
- what your child is doing well
- where they need support
- what might be underlying the difficulties
- what strategies can help immediately
5. A plan to move forward
We will discuss how we can best support you and your child. This may involve 1:1 OT sessions, group sessions, a home programme & advice or school follow-up among other options.
A paediatric OT assessment isn’t something to worry about—it’s simply a chance to understand your child’s needs and support them to thrive.
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