Occupational Therapy Assessment in Newcastle
Comprehensive Assessments for Child Development
When a child presents with developmental delays, it can result from a variety of factors, such as muscle tone disorders, joint hypermobility, sensory processing delays, reduced strength, motor planning difficulties, or reduced proprioception/position sense, all of which can significantly impact their daily life.
At Newcastle Paediatric Occupational Therapy, we provide occupational therapy assessments. An assessment typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the specific combination of issues your child presents. During this time, a series of standardised and non-standardised tests will be conducted, and your child will be scored and observed.
Your child’s strengths and areas for growth will be identified, and Melanie will discuss how occupational therapy can assist. Following the assessment, a comprehensive report will be written detailing the findings, how your child compares with his/her peers and outlining the goals for their therapy intervention.
Contact Newcastle Paediatric Occupational Therapy today on
(02) 4940 6507 to book your child’s assessment. We assist families in
Newcastle,
Lake Macquarie,
the Hunter Region,
Charlestown,
Broadmeadow,
Merewether,
Mayfield,
Belmont, and
Swansea.
Muscle Tone & Motor
Co-Ordination Disorder Assessments
For children displaying limited or delayed motor skills, a muscle tone and motor coordination assessment is generally required. This assessment considers the child's age, developmental milestones (achieved or yet to be achieved), balance, postural stability, and upper limb coordination. An analysis of muscle balance and joint stability is crucial to positively impact the child's developmental outcomes.
Handwriting Assessments
Handwriting is a complex skill that relies on multiple elements, including motor, sensory, graphomotor, and perceptual skills, as well as cognitive function. Due to its complexity, it’s not uncommon for children to encounter difficulties developing this ability.
Handwriting is often critical for school success. Understanding a child’s cognitive and sensory performance is essential to tailor a plan for building adequate muscle memory for this task. Older children may qualify for special provisions in HSC and NAPLAN testing. In some cases, Dysgraphia may be an appropriate diagnosis.
At Newcastle Paediatric Occupational Therapy, our compassionate occupational therapist uses a variety of assessment criteria to pinpoint the cause of each child’s difficulties. These may include motor control assessments, neuromuscular evaluations, and an understanding of the child’s cognitive and psychosocial behaviours. We then develop the most effective strategy tailored to the child’s unique needs.
Neurodevelopment Delay Assessments
Children experiencing challenges with energy regulation, focus, concentration, or processing environmental stimuli may benefit from a comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment. This could include an individual sensory profile, which helps formulate safety tools for identifying behavioural triggers and developing calming strategies to assist them in various settings.
