An occupational therapy assessment is not a test your child can pass or fail. It is a careful, structured process designed to understand how your child functions in daily life. The goal is to identify strengths, spot areas of difficulty, and create a clear plan to help.

Many parents feel anxious before their child’s first assessment. Knowing what to expect can make a real difference to your experience on the day.

Before the Assessment

Preparation begins before you even arrive at the clinic. A good OT will ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire covering your child’s developmental history, daily routines, and your specific concerns. Take time to fill this in thoroughly — it gives the therapist valuable context before they meet your child.

What to Bring

• Any previous reports from other professionals (speech therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, school)
• School reports or feedback from teachers
• A list of your key concerns and questions
• Your child’s favourite toy or comfort item, if helpful

It also helps to talk to your child beforehand in a calm, age-appropriate way. You might say: "We’re going to visit someone who helps children with things like drawing, playing, and getting dressed."

What the OT Evaluates

An OT assessment looks at your child as a whole person. We are interested in how they play, learn, move, and manage daily tasks — not just one isolated skill. The assessment typically covers several key areas.

Fine Motor Skills

This includes hand strength, pencil grip, cutting with scissors, and the ability to manipulate small objects. We watch how your child picks things up, how they hold a pen, and whether they can manage buttons or zips.

Sensory Processing

We observe how your child responds to touch, movement, sound, and other sensory input. Does your child seem overwhelmed by certain textures? Do they constantly seek movement? Sensory processing patterns strongly influence behaviour and daily functioning.

Gross Motor and Coordination Skills

Balance, coordination, body awareness, and bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body together) are all assessed. These skills underpin activities like sport, riding a bike, and navigating a classroom.

Self-Care and Daily Living

We explore how independently your child manages dressing, feeding, toileting, and personal hygiene. We also consider how these skills compare to what is typical for their age.

Play and Social Participation

Play is a child’s occupation. We observe how your child plays — alone and with others — and whether they engage in age-appropriate, imaginative, and flexible play.

Standardised Assessments Used

Depending on your child’s age and needs, your OT may use one or more standardised assessment tools. Common tools used in paediatric OT include:

• Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) — assesses sensory processing across home and school environments
• Beery VMI — evaluates visual-motor integration, essential for handwriting
• MABC-2 (Movement Assessment Battery for Children) — measures motor skills and identifies Developmental Coordination Disorder
• PDMS-2 (Peabody Developmental Motor Scales) — used for younger children to assess fine and gross motor development
• Developmental observations and clinical judgment — no single tool tells the whole story

After the Assessment: The Report and Goals

Following the assessment, your OT will write a detailed report. This report summarises findings, identifies areas of strength and difficulty, and outlines recommended goals and strategies. It typically takes one to two weeks to prepare.

You will then have a feedback session to discuss the report together. This is your opportunity to ask questions, understand the recommendations, and co-create a therapy plan that fits your family’s life.

Goals are always individualised. They are based on what matters most to your child and your family — not just what looks good on paper.

What Happens Next

After the assessment and feedback, your OT will recommend a course of action. This might include individual therapy sessions, a home programme, school consultation, or referral to another professional. For many families in Malta, a combination of clinic-based therapy and a structured home programme delivers the best results.

If you’re concerned about your child’s development, contact us at +356 99872936 or visit wonderkids.mt to book an assessment.

The post What Happens During an OT Assessment? A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents appeared first on Occupational Therapy Malta.