Occupational Therapy assessment. Is this correct?

[2006hildy]

"One of our aims was to show how his current school environment is not suitable in sensory terms. So having a meeting in a new place would not be suitable. She would have to visit him in his setting."

Reply:

"An Assessment for a Statement has to be done at a clinic, due to the equipment that is needed to do an appropriate assessment. The recommendations that will be made will make it clear as to whether or not the current school environment is appropriate. If needed, a school visit can be arranged as well, but this will incur an additional charge.

We have been in practice for over 15 years here in London, and have never done a statementing assessment in a school setting ? it is just not appropriate or professional, and I doubt that you would find a therapist willing to do that (that would provide you with a thorough report).
The cost of our Statementing Assessment which includes at lasts 1 ? 1 ½ hours assessment, an hour long parent meeting and a full in-depth written report costs £600.

Our therapy session is for 45 minutes.The rate for a 45 minute session is £80.00. "

What do you think?

Well I think it depends on what they are doing in terms of assessments - are they doing formalised motor skills testing? Bruinix? This tends to be done in clinic as they use specific apparatus.

Sensory profiling is done on questionnaires so can be done in schools or clinic by school, yourself and the child. Evidence of how the child is coping with the school environment given their sensory profile is important.

If a child has sensory processing disorder, they are likely to have some specific problems with a classroom environment but Im not sure an OT would walk into a class and say 'this classroom environment is not right for them' just by looking at it.

my experience was that our pirvate OT came to our home, i did lots of questionaires and then she spent a long time at school with him doing assessments in the hall, and also watching him especially during PE. the NHS OT did something similar and saw him at school. she had talked about him going to a centre but in the end he didnt. his OT reports are comprehensive and detailed as his statement which also has sensory intregration therapy in it. he is now in an independent school on the back of those reports and the school has in house OT - the school have stated that my sons statement is one of the most detailed ones they have seen when it comes to OT. both of my OT were very experience and professional and saw him at school

so what i am saying is what they are saying about no therapist seeing a child at school is wrong - both of the OTs spent a long time talking to the class teacher/head teacher to get the fullest picture possible and also even gave the teachers some ideas on how to help him which the school did try in the interim

IE DS1 saw an indi OT rececently for SIPT. He was seen at home (out of school).

She also carried out an Environmental Assessment of the school. Only cost about £65 plus travel. Having carried out the SIPT they are then able to comment on the suitability or otherwise of a particular enviroment and what problems it might trigger/exacerbate.

Make sure they would do SIPT etc and ask them what the additional charge is.

ds2 has both sensory OT asessment and motor assessments the assessments and therapy were done in clinin although observations were carrie dout at school.
If they are doing a formal assessment in order to give scores & highlight areas of strength & weakness then it is quite normal for this to be carried out in clininc.
If they are assessing how he is reacting to his school environment etc then school observations are helpful

Our independent OT did an assessment at school and then came home.

She wrote in her report that he would benefit from specialist equipment on the basis of how he presented at school.

I think you have to be careful about telling an OT that you want them to find the school placement unsuitable though. You cannot pay an OT to do that as it would be unethical.

Far better to simply seek their professional opinion. Though you can state you have doubts yourself about the schools suitability iyswim.

We are currently having a full assessment done by an OT for dd age 7. This assessment takes place in a clinic and involves visual perception, gross and fine motor skills. Once dds weaknesses and strengths were identified the OT then liase with the school to put the appropriate support in place. In dds case this involves her sitting at the front of the class and in the middle of the board. Also the OT has supported dds ref to an ed psych on the basis that she may be dyslexic. The OT also asked the school to support dd with her sequencing skills.

I should say though this information is based purely as a result of dds visual perception skills, she is yet to be fully assed for motor skills. The school so far have been supportive and acted on the OTs advice.

Our private OT assessment for tribunal/statement was done entirely at school. A quiet room was provided for the OT to use but DD was also observed in the classroom and playground environment to provide information about her functioning within this setting as her 1:1 profile is quite different to he group profile. Even the NHS OT came to see her in school and report on that as well as doing the standardised testing at the hospital 1:1.

Dd3 had her motor assessment at home due to her getting very stressed about seeing people at school. She is awaiting a sensory assessment and this might be done at school (different school), I personally prefer to be present when she is assessed but know I can request this when the appointment comes.

This is NHS. The private OT I approached would have wanted her to go to the clinic and would have charged £120 for the assessment and £45 per half hour for follow ups.

DS2 is soon to have an OT assessment. It's ostensibly to do with his mobility issues from his Hypermobility, but I want them to look at sensory stuff too. What should they be doing test wise to assess his mobility needs (specific test names. Fine motor and gross motor)?

What would be wise to ask for about sensory issues (he has LOTS.)

This is NHS, mind you.

Is £120 the average cost for private OT assessment? Does that include a school visit?

My son was assessed in a clinic. OT charged £375 for assessment including report. As I needed it as an addendum to the statement it was an additional £100. Her report was extremely thorough. My son is severely dyspraxic.

Couthy, I'll dig out DS2's reports & see if they name the assessments & get back to you.