Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Evaluations:
- Does my child go in alone?
- We leave it up to parents/caregivers and the child to figure out what is best for them. Some caregivers feel strongly that their child would do best if they waited in the lobby area, while others may feel their child would feel more secure with the caregivers present. It is also important to some caregivers to observe the entire process so they feel informed and knowledgeable about the evaluation. We want to work with you to make sure you and your child are comfortable, so please let us know what your preferences are.
- Will we get to see the whole clinic?
- Most occupational therapy evaluations involve a tour of the facility (either our Saco or Westbrook location, depending on where the evaluation is occurring). This typically occurs after standardized testing and clinical observations. There may be times where a tour of the clinic does not fit with the ability or age of the child. Please ask if you would like a tour of our facility if one is not offered to you. We always do a tour during a child’s first therapy visit as well, especially if their initial evaluation was not completed at that location.
- Will my child get to play in the gym with all the fun equipment?
- We know that our therapy gyms look really fun, and we can’t wait to play with you in them during therapy. During the evaluation, we may tour the gym but it is unlikely that we will spend time in there. This is because there are other children getting therapy, and it is important to have a quiet, private space for confidentiality when completing an evaluation and parent interview. We often reassure kids if they come back for therapy, they will get more time to explore the fun stuff in the gym!
- What if my child is really nervous before the evaluation?
- We totally understand being nervous before going to a new place and meeting new people! Our therapists will work hard to build rapport with your child and help them get comfortable. This process looks different for every kid, so we will do our best to make sure they are comfortable. It may be helpful for you to show your child pictures of the clinic. Click here for pictures of our Saco and Westbrook locations. It may also be useful for you to use the information here to talk to your child about what to expect in their evaluation. You can use this social story to help your child know what to expect. We recommend reading it a few times before you come! If you need help figuring out how to talk to your child about the evaluation, please call our office and we can give you some advice or connect you with a therapist who can provide more ideas.
- What if my child can’t participate in standardized testing?
- It is our job as OT’s to meet kids where they’re at, so we will work with your child to get the information we need during testing. Every child is different! While we prefer to try to do standardized testing, sometimes that doesn’t work well for kids and their abilities or skills. Our therapists can modify which assessments are being used or how they are being administered. If we need to, we can use parent report assessment tools to gather the information we need, and these assessments are still standardized.
- Will my insurance pay for this evaluation?
- We want to make sure all of our clients understand as much as they can about their insurance coverage and how payments work. Please call us to discuss this if you have any questions!
