Occupational therapy is a great treatment for individuals who wish to return to their optimal psychological status after a significant incidence. It also helps you to increase your ability to take good care of yourself. There are many benefits you stand to enjoy from an occupational therapy assessment. 

But how do you get the most out of something when you don’t even know the benefits and importance of it? In this article, we will guide you on what Occupational therapy assessment is all about and what you should expect when you demand the services of an occupational therapist. 

What you should expect during an occupational therapy assessment

• Information gathering process

Before you are placed on an occupational therapy treatment, the occupational therapist will need your personal information. The information-gathering process is a part of the occupational therapy assessment. The information therapy assessment helps the therapist to determine if you should undergo the therapy or not. It also helps them to determine what type of therapy they should take.

Such information should also include your medical record, if available. Your therapist will also need information about the daily routine you maintained before the incident that caused you to go for an occupational therapy visit. Other than that, you may need to provide your age, the physician that recommended the therapy, diagnosis, and precaution. This information makes it easy for them to provide adequate therapy and set goals for the OT.

• What your Therapist does during your Occupational Therapy Assessment

• The first stage of your occupational therapy treatment involves you meeting the therapist, during which he will evaluate you. The evaluation processes will most likely include some or all of the following:
• Your therapist will gather personal information that will help him understand your pre-injury status or lifestyle. 

• Your therapist will also instruct you to carry out some tasks in your natural environment. You might also be tested under standard conditions. Moreover, you will be under close observation while you carry out your assigned tasks.
• The above step will help the therapist determine what cognitive, physical, and emotional barriers are hindering you from performing as before. It also helps your therapist discover what physical, social, and emotional you have at home, work, school, or the community.
• This helps them figure out what support or skills need to be improved. Thereby enabling them to create a collaborative treatment plan for you. Also, they assess how the set plan meets your specific goals and needs.
• They create a report for your insurer and other healthcare providers. This information is aimed at making these health providers improve their knowledge through your treatment procedures.

• What are the different kinds of occupational therapy assessments?

There are several kinds of OT assessments. Moreover, the kind of assessment you receive depends on some factors, including the assessment environment and the needs that led to the therapy. The type of therapy you receive focuses on the following:

• Hospital Discharge Training – This focuses on making necessary adjustments in your home following your discharge from the hospital. This boosts your response to treatment. 
• Cognitive Rehabilitation – This kind of therapy follows after you may have experienced an injury to your brain during the accident or there’s a reported case of a changed thinking pattern. The OT assessment focuses on memory, planning, attention, and information processing.
• Ergonomic Assessment – You might still suffer increasing or ongoing symptoms after you’ve resumed work. An OT performed in this situation focuses on the chair, desk, and computer setup to help prevent pains on the wrist, neck, back, and shoulder.
• Return-to-work planning – This OT helps where you cannot resume work after the incident. This involves the therapist liaising with your employer to create a step-by-step strategy to help you regain your pre-injury job role.

Conclusion

Occupational Therapy assessment is a highly recommended procedure if you ever get involved with any mental or physical activity that makes you unable to function before the incident. You should also contact an occupational therapist if you ever find yourself taking a bad turn in your thinking pattern. It will help you to recover and respond quickly to treatment.