Occupational Therapy FAQs For Parents Of Young Children

The doctor treating your child has recommended outpatient occupational therapy for your child. If you have no idea what this therapy is all about and you have some questions to ask, we’ve got it covered. Due to the injury or illness, your child may not be able to perform some basic day to day activities such as brushing teeth and hair, eating, getting dressed, playing with other children or toys, cutting, writing and coloring and other motor skills. The therapist will understand and address yours and your child’s concerns. The therapist will develop specific goals and create a treatment plan for achieving these goals. 

What is the evaluation process? 

What to expect during the evaluation? 

You will visit a center offering outpatient occupational therapy in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and the therapist will obtain some important information related to your child’s medical history. This information will also contain your developmental milestones. This is followed by the evaluation of mobility in joints, muscle strength, posture, gross and fine motor skills and other motor skills. After reviewing the relationship between your kid’s functional abilities, skill level and limitations, the therapist will take important notes while doing clinical observations, standardized assessments and clinical questionnaires. 

How long does evaluation last? 

Although it depends on the mobility and health of your child, the average time is 2 hours.   

For how long the child will need this therapy? 

Once the evaluation is done, preliminary evaluations findings will be discussed. The therapist will talk about the areas that can be improved, share a plan of care, frequency, duration and also give some suggestions related to the treatment.        

What is the role of parents during the evaluation? 

Parents will tell about the medical history of the child, development and all areas of concern. In case the therapist needs your help, the therapist will let you know. Parents will have to fill out a standardized parent questionnaire.

When will the therapist send the report? 

You will get the report in less than three weeks. 

• How to best prepare for the visit?   
• What are the documents or reports parents need to bring? 
• Prior evaluations
• Prescriptions 
• School reports 
• Current list of medications 
• Eyeglasses, braces, splints or any other equipment your child is using
• Insurance card 
• Referral if any 
• Photo ID    
• A list of questions you have

What should the patient wear? 

The patient should be wearing loose and comfortable clothing.   

Question related to insurance

Is it covered in insurance? 

It depends on your insurance plan. You should make a call to your insurer and ask if you have any question related to the payment.

Hope the most of questions you want to ask are addressed. If the therapist is referred by your doctor then it is OK. In case you are finding a therapist, make sure that the therapist is certified and specialized. Take your child to a reputed center offering outpatient occupational therapy in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.