Whether you're new to occupational therapy (OT) or have had your license for years, keeping up with all the available occupational therapy assessments out there can be challenging.
The good news is that you probably won't need to use a large portion of the available tests; many assessments are geared toward specific client groups or certain types of conditions. This means that you won’t have to familiarize yourself with them all—just the assessments that relate to your specific area, such as children & youth or older adults, or specific conditions.
Are you up-to-date on OT assessments you could be using? As you know, it's not just about knowing what tools are out there—it's about utilizing clinical judgement to match the right assessment to each client's unique journey. The following guide will offer a closer look at available occupational therapy assessments and perhaps reveal a few hidden gems to add to your occupational therapy tool kit.
Conducting assessments is a key piece in building an effective therapy plan that really hones in on your client’s specific needs to promote their overall wellbeing, but remember that’s just one part of your approach to evaluation. For comprehensive guidance on addressing relevant occupations, performance skills, client factors, and more throughout the treatment plan (based on each individual client), consult the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process-Fourth Edition (OTPF–4).
How do Occupational Therapy Assessments Help OTPs?
Evaluation and assessment are an important part of the occupational therapy process. Depending on the reason for your client seeking treatment, assessments can address areas including:
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Self-care skills
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Visual and perceptual skills
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Executive functioning skills
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Sensory integration
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Gross motor skills
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Fine motor skills
Occupational therapy assessments allow occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to gain deeper insights into a client's functional abilities and challenges. This information is not only crucial for tailoring therapy to each client's unique needs and ensuring a focused and effective treatment plan, but for further justifying services for reimbursement. Assessments are also instrumental in tracking progress over time, enabling you to adjust interventions as needed throughout a client’s treatment.
What Occupational Therapy Assessments Should I Use?
No two people are the same, and neither should be the approach to their treatment. Each client you meet with has their own unique challenges, requiring you to select relevant and appropriate tools and interventions. Remember, the goal is to select assessments that will most accurately capture the nuances of your client's abilities and areas for growth, making every therapy journey as individualized as they are.
While the assessments you use with a client may vary, you'll likely use some of the following techniques to gather information:
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Clinical observations
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Formal assessment tools
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Client, family, parent, teacher, and/or caregiver input
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Completed occupational profile
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Analysis of occupational performance
This multi-faceted approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the client's situation, paving the way for you to create an effective client-centered plan of care.
5 Common Assessments Used by OTPs
Understanding the different OT assessments available is important because it helps you select the most relevant assessments for your client’s specific needs. Some areas assessments can be used for include:
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Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
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Cognition
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Context and environments
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Developmental
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Driving and community mobility screening and assessments
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Falls prevention and fear of falling
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Functional capacity and dyspnea
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Functional cognition
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Functional mobility
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Incontinence
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Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
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Mental and Behavioral Health
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Rest and Sleep
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Sensory Integration and sensory processing
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Skin integrity and wounds
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Vision
And, while there are many assessments available within each area, the following five are some commonly used by OTPs across the lifespan.
1. Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI)
The PEDI assessment tool takes a comprehensive look at the caregiver's perceptions of the infant or young child's functional abilities and need for assistance and modifications, allowing you to capture a thorough picture of your clients' abilities and challenges.
What's great about the PEDI is its adaptability for a variety of pediatric groups; it can be used across a wide range of pediatric populations, including those with developmental delays (infants and young children 0–8 years old), physical disabilities, and chronic health conditions. Whether you're working in early intervention, school-based therapy, or outpatient clinics, the PEDI's versatility ensures its relevance across settings. Note that there’s also a newer, computer-adapted test version.
2. Test of Grocery Shopping Skills
The Test of Grocery Shopping Skills is a vital tool for OTPs, designed to evaluate a client’s ability to perform everyday tasks in a community setting. It measures how accurately (and efficiently) clients can find items in a grocery store, a task that can be challenging for those with cognitive impairments due to conditions like brain injury, stroke, dementia, or developmental disabilities. The assessment includes practical resources like score sheets, grocery lists, a sample store map, and an answer sheet, all provided on a flash drive for easy use with clients. This tool not only assesses but also guides intervention planning to enhance the community living skills of diverse populations.
3. School Function Assessment (SFA)
Tailored for school-aged children, the SFA dives deep into assessing how well a child performs and participates in the school setting. It looks at crucial aspects like their involvement in school activities, the support they need to complete tasks, how well they perform activities, and the school environment's role in their academic and social participation. This thorough approach helps pinpoint what support a child might need to thrive both academically and socially, ensuring they can make the most of their school experience.
One of the standout features of the SFA is its versatility. It can be used to assess children with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, including those with developmental delays, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and physical impairments. The SFA is also great for interdisciplinary teaming as it allows for multiple team members to rate the student.
4. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
Developed by experts in occupational therapy, the COPM is a client-centered assessment tool designed to identify a client’s perceived performance in self-care and leisure activities. From pediatric clients to older adults, and from acute care to community rehabilitation, the COPM's versatility across ages and environments ensures it fits nearly any therapeutic context.
More than just evaluating function, the COPM invites clients to actively participate in their recovery, fostering outcomes that resonate deeply and last long after therapy concludes. With the COPM, you're not just assessing functional abilities—you're empowering your clients to take an active role in their rehabilitation journey, leading to more meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
5. Modified Barthel Index
The Modified Barthel Index (MBI) is a versatile tool in an OTP's repertoire. The MBI test measures a client's ability to perform daily living activities and their overall mobility. Scores can also be obtained by asking the client, friends or relatives, and other staff who are familiar with the client's usual performance. The assessment encompasses a broad range of activities, including:
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Feeding
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Dressing
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Chair transfer
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Stair climbing
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Bowel and bladder control
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Bathing
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Grooming
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Ambulation
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Toileting
By scoring these activities, you can gain a comprehensive view of a client's independence level, guiding targeted therapy for improved quality of life.
While not an exhaustive list, you can find some common assessments in the AOTA store. As you continue to navigate through these assessments, let your insights guide you to more effective, personalized therapy plans. So, here's to choosing impactful occupation therapy tool kit components, making every therapy session count, and celebrating the milestones along the way.
Note that AOTA does not specifically endorse any of the external resources noted. These are not all-inclusive lists of occupational therapy assessments. The practitioner should use their clinical judgment to identify tools and assessments appropriate for each client based on the client, the situation, and the psychometrics of the instruments.
