Occupational Therapy in Glen Ellyn, IL

What is Occupational Therapy testing?

An Occupational Therapy (OT) evaluation provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s skills and functioning across multiple developmental domains and stages. The evaluation assesses the underlying component skills that impact overall functioning, behavior, and participation in daily life experiences and activities. The goal of an occupational therapy evaluation is to determine whether Occupational Therapy services would be appropriate and beneficial to improve areas of weakness or challenge, and to determine whether a referral to another professional, such as a psychologist or speech therapist, would be appropriate.

What does an occupational therapist assess?

We commonly assess fine motor skills, gross motor skills, independence with self-care skills, sensory integration and sensory processing skills, including sensorimotor and sensory regulation skills, and primitive reflex integration. Depending on the concerns that initiated the evaluation, we may also assess executive functioning skills. Referrals vary and can include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, dyspraxia/ motor planning challenges, anxiety, clumsiness and coordination concerns, behavior challenges, learning challenges, attention and focus challenges, feeding challenges/picky eating, social awkwardness, general developmental delays, handwriting concerns, sensory sensitivities, and others.

What to expect?

An evaluation consists of a set of parental questionnaires and a background information survey, followed by an hour to an hour and a half direct assessment with the client. This will include a combination of standardized testing and skilled clinical observations, dependent upon the presenting concerns and the client’s age and ability levels. All of the information collected is then analyzed to create a comprehensive picture of the client’s strengths, weaknesses, and needs, including determining whether skills are atypical or typical but delayed in development.

Who needs an Occupational Therapy evaluation?

Anyone struggling with attention, behavior, age appropriate independence with self-care skills, self- regulation, sensory or emotional sensitivities, clumsiness, or difficulties keeping up with peers. Children that tend to have meltdowns or tantrums “for no reason”, or for extended periods of time, often benefit from an occupational therapy evaluation. Occupational therapists can assess anyone ages birth through adulthood.

How do I know if an occupational therapy evaluation is right for my family?

Occupational therapy testing is a valuable tool that can make an enormous difference in the life of a child and their family. It is often a first step in figuring out the “why” for challenges and helping the client to be more comfortable and confident in their own skills and abilities. Parents often find that the occupational therapy evaluation is validating, recognizing areas of need often missed by doctors or teachers, and providing an explanation for why the challenges are presenting in the ways that they are.

What should I do next?

There are two options available. If you are fairly certain that an occupational therapy evaluation is right for your family, please call our office to schedule an evaluation or learn more about OT.

If you are still uncertain, you are welcome to call the office and schedule a phone consultation with our Occupational Therapist to ask further questions.