If you've decided to book a paediatric occupational therapy assessment for your child, you might be wondering exactly what's involved. This guide walks you through what happens before, during, and after an OT assessment at Ability Rehab — so you and your child know what to expect and can feel comfortable from the very first appointment.
What is a paediatric OT assessment?
A paediatric occupational therapy assessment is the first step in understanding how your child is managing the everyday activities — or “occupations” — that make up their day. For a child, those occupations include things like playing, dressing, eating, writing, joining in at school, and managing their emotions.
The goal of the assessment isn't to label your child. It's to build a clear, practical picture of their strengths and the areas they find harder than expected for their age, so any support can be tailored to what actually matters for your family. If you've noticed some of the signs that a child may benefit from OT, an assessment is how we move from “something feels off” to a concrete plan.
Before the assessment: getting started
Good preparation makes the appointment smoother and more useful. Here's what typically happens before you arrive.
We'll have a chat about your concerns, your child's history, and what you're hoping to get out of an assessment. This helps us choose the right approach for your child.
You may be asked to complete a parent questionnaire about your child's development, routines, and what's working well or feeling hard at home and school.
Any previous reports, school feedback, or NDIS plan details are helpful. There's no need to prepare your child — we'll meet them where they're at.
What happens during the assessment
A paediatric OT assessment is designed to feel relaxed and play-based, not clinical or test-like. Most children settle in quickly because much of what we do looks and feels like play. Depending on your child's age and goals, an assessment may include a mix of the following.
Observation through play and activity
Your occupational therapist watches how your child moves, plays, problem-solves, and interacts. So much useful information comes from simply seeing a child in action — how they hold a pencil, climb, build, or manage a new task.
Structured tasks and standardised tools
Where helpful, we use recognised assessment tools to compare your child's skills against typical developmental expectations. Depending on the concern, these may include tools such as the Sensory Profile 2, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2), or a fine motor and visual-motor assessment.
Talking with you
You know your child better than anyone. Your observations about home, daycare, and school are a central part of the assessment, not an afterthought.
Looking at the whole picture
We consider how skills like motor coordination, sensory processing, attention, and self-care fit together to affect your child's participation in daily life.
How long does it take, and where does it happen?
An initial assessment usually takes around 60 to 90 minutes, though this varies with your child's age and needs. Some assessments are completed across more than one session, particularly for younger children who do their best in shorter bursts.
At Ability Rehab, assessments can take place wherever suits your child best: in our clinic in Ivanhoe East, in your home through our mobile visiting service, or via telehealth for families who prefer or need an online option. Seeing a child in their own environment often gives us valuable insight into how they manage real, everyday routines.
After the assessment: your child's plan
Once the assessment is complete, your occupational therapist pulls everything together into a clear summary of your child's strengths, the areas they find challenging, and practical recommendations.
- Findings explained in plain language — what we observed and what it means for your child.
- Goals that matter to your family — therapy works best when it targets the things you and your child actually care about.
- Recommendations and next steps — this may include a period of therapy, strategies to try at home and school, or simply reassurance and monitoring.
- Support with funding — if relevant, we can explain how findings fit with NDIS goals and how NDIS early intervention funding may be used.
How to help your child feel comfortable
Children take their cues from you, so the most helpful thing you can do is keep it low-key. A few simple ideas:
- Describe the visit positively — for example, “we're going to meet someone who has lots of fun games and wants to help with the tricky things.”
- Avoid framing it as a test or something to worry about.
- Bring a comfort item for younger children if that helps them settle.
- Schedule the appointment for a time of day when your child is generally at their best.
No GP referral is required for private clients or NDIS participants to access paediatric occupational therapy — you can contact us directly to book. A referral may be relevant if you're accessing therapy through a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, which your GP can arrange.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can my child have an OT assessment?
Occupational therapy supports children across all ages, from toddlers through to teenagers. Early support can be particularly valuable during key developmental stages.
Will I be in the room during the assessment?
For younger children, yes — your presence helps them feel secure. For older children, the therapist will discuss the best approach with you.
What if the assessment shows my child doesn't need therapy?
That's a completely valid and welcome outcome. Sometimes an assessment provides reassurance, along with simple strategies to support your child at home and school.
Ready to book a paediatric OT assessment?
Our friendly team supports children across Ivanhoe East, Heidelberg, Kew, Doncaster, Bundoora, Eltham, Greensborough and Balwyn — in clinic, at home, or via telehealth.
