Things To Expect During an Occupational Therapy Assessment
The emphasis of occupational therapy is on making people be able to handle daily activities without fear. It aids in skills required in daily living, learning, and engagement in meaningful activities. It is one that begins with an assessment that forms an effective image of personal needs. Knowledge about the way the assessment functions will minimize stress and uncertainty.
Important things to know about occupational therapy assessment
Understanding occupational therapy assessments
An occupational therapy assessment is a systematic method of knowing the way the everyday activities are done. It checks the physical, sensory, emotional and cognitive abilities. This is aimed at determining what promotes independence. All the assessments are individual and adaptable. It adapts according to age, talents, and the day-to-day activities. Emphasis is laid on life application.
How the assessment process begins
The assessment normally begins by a dialogue. This will benefit the therapist to have a feel of routine and issues of daily life. Effective communication enhances performance.
- Discussion of daily activities – The therapist questions the self-care, play, learning or work activities to know the functional abilities.
- Review of current challenges – The issues of concern are illustrated in a clear manner in order to direct the evaluation towards genuine needs.
- Goal identification – The goals (short and long-term goals) help to determine the direction of the assessment.
- Background information gathering – Develop or lifestyle history gives some valuable background.
- Clarifying expectations – It is used to clarify the expectations to everyone to ensure they are informed and comfortable.
Observation and interaction during assessment
There is observation of the way tasks are carried out as a natural occurrence. It assists to determine the strong and weak elements. This step is essential. The therapist observes actions, attentiveness, and reactions. Operations are determined to suit a daily operation.
- Observation of task performance – Daily activities are examined in an attempt to monitor the application of skills.
- Posture and coordination review – Movement and balance are noticed closely.
- Attention and engagement monitoring – Observation of the levels of attention at the workplace.
- Problem-solving behavior -How challenges are approached is one of the helpful pieces of information.
- Interaction style observation – Communication and social reactions are put into consideration.
Activities used in occupational therapy assessments
Tasks are realistic and significant. They are required to be founded on real-life needs. This is to guarantee correct interpretation. The variability of age and the needs is utilized in different jobs. Each task has a clear purpose.
- Fine motor activities -The methods in assessing the state of the hand control and the coordination is conducted with the aid of simple tasks.
- Gross motor activities – Safety, balance and body movement are evaluated safely.
- Sensory response tasks – Response to hearing or feeling or movement are observed.
- Daily living simulations -The activities are simulated in the day to day life as much as possible.
- Play or functional tasks – This type of activity and application of skills are observed to occur naturally.
Summarizing
The effective support relies on the occupational therapy darwin assessment. It assists in the detection of strengths, difficulties as well as objectives. Confidence comes as a result of knowing what to expect. The evaluation plan promotes valuable development and autonomy.
