Our Services

Initial Evaluations

An initial pediatric occupational therapy evaluation typically lasts 60 minutes in person and includes the following components:

  1. Parent/Caregiver Interview (15-20 minutes): The therapist gathers information about the child’s medical history, developmental milestones, family concerns, and any specific challenges the child is facing at home, school, or in daily activities.

  2. Observation (20-25 minutes): The therapist observes the child’s behavior, motor skills, coordination, sensory processing, and social interactions during structured activities (e.g., play, fine/gross motor tasks) to assess functional performance.

  3. Standardized Assessments (15-20 minutes): The therapist may administer formal or informal assessments to measure the child’s developmental and functional skills in areas such as motor coordination, sensory integration, fine motor abilities, and self-care tasks.

  4. Feedback and Plan (5-10 minutes): At the end of the evaluation, the therapist provides an overview of findings, discusses any concerns, and outlines recommendations for therapy goals and potential intervention strategies. A follow-up plan is also discussed with the family.

After the in-person evaluation, the therapist will interpret the results and write a detailed report. A follow-up phone call is included to review the report, answer any questions, and discuss next steps for therapy.

This comprehensive evaluation helps the therapist understand the child’s strengths and areas for improvement, forming the basis for an individualized therapy plan.

Re-Evaluations

A re-evaluation typically lasts 60 minutes and is completed at least annually or on an as needed basis. It aims to assess the child's progress, adjust goals, and determine the need for continued therapy. The process includes:

  1. Parent/Caregiver Interview (10-15 minutes):
    The therapist meets with the parent or caregiver to discuss any changes in the child’s needs, concerns, or progress since the last evaluation. The parent may provide updated information about the child’s performance at home, school, and in daily activities.

  2. Reassessment of Functional Skills (30-40 minutes):
    The therapist observes the child during a variety of tasks and may use standardized assessments to evaluate their current abilities in areas such as motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and social participation. The therapist compares current performance with previous results to identify improvements or areas needing further intervention.

  3. Goal Review and Adjustment (10-15 minutes):
    The therapist reviews the child’s previous goals, assesses whether they have been met, and discusses the next steps. New goals may be set based on the child’s progress, ongoing challenges, and evolving needs.

  4. Feedback and Plan (5-10 minutes):
    At the end of the session, the therapist provides the parent with a summary of findings, discusses any changes to the therapy plan, and suggests strategies for supporting the child at home or in other settings. If necessary, adjustments are made to the therapy approach or frequency of sessions.

This reevaluation process helps ensure that therapy remains relevant to the child's current needs and supports continued growth and development.

Occupational Therapy Sessions

A typical pediatric occupational therapy session lasts either 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the child’s needs and goals. The session may include the following components:

  1. Warm-Up/Check-In (5-10 minutes):
    The therapist greets the child, checks in on how they’re feeling, and briefly discusses any activities or homework from the previous session. If the child is comfortable, this time may also include a short discussion with the parent to ensure alignment on the session's focus.

  2. Therapeutic Activities (20-50 minutes):
    The therapist engages the child in fun, developmentally appropriate activities designed to target specific goals. These activities may focus on fine motor skills (e.g., drawing, cutting), gross motor skills (e.g., jumping, climbing), sensory processing (e.g., tactile play, movement activities), or self-care skills (e.g., dressing, feeding). The therapist provides hands-on guidance and gradually adjusts the difficulty level to challenge the child appropriately.

  3. Cool-Down/Review (5-10 minutes):
    The session concludes with a calming activity, such as deep breathing or a simple game, to help the child wind down. This is also the time to briefly review the session’s progress and provide feedback on how the child engaged in activities.

  4. Parent Education (5-10 minutes):
    Toward the end of the session, the therapist takes time to explain the activities and interventions to the parent. This includes discussing the child’s progress, explaining how the activities relate to the child's goals, and providing suggestions for practice at home. Parents may also be given strategies to manage specific challenges (e.g., sensory sensitivities, difficulty with daily routines) and guidance on how to support the child’s development outside of therapy.

Coaching Sessions

A coaching session is a collaborative session designed to facilitate the carryover of therapeutic strategies and provide comprehensive support to the child, family, and other key individuals in the child’s life. This service is designed for families already established with our practice (i.e. have had an initial evaluation and at least 5 individual sessions). This coaching session can take place in person, via phone call, or virtually, depending on the needs and preferences of the family. The session typically lasts 30-60 minutes and includes the following components:

  1. Parent, School, and Caregiver Input (10-15 minutes):
    The therapist gathers insights from parents, teachers, and caregivers about the child’s current challenges and progress in various settings (home, school, community). This may involve reviewing specific concerns, such as difficulties with self-regulation, motor skills, sensory processing, or daily routines.

  2. Review of Therapy Goals and Strategies (10-15 minutes):
    The therapist provides a review of the child’s current therapy goals, explains the strategies being used in therapy, and offers specific suggestions to integrate these strategies into the child’s daily life. This might include techniques for improving attention, self-care skills, or classroom participation.

  3. Guidance and Recommendations for Carryover (15-20 minutes):
    The therapist works with the parents and caregivers to develop actionable strategies that can be used consistently at home and in other environments (e.g., school). The therapist may suggest modifications to routines, offer sensory or motor-based activities, or recommend tools (e.g., fidget items, visual schedules) to support the child’s success across settings.

  4. Collaborative Discussion (5-10 minutes):
    The session ends with a discussion among the therapist, parents, and any other involved parties (e.g., teachers or school staff) to ensure everyone is aligned on the child’s needs and goals. The therapist answers any questions, clarifies recommendations, and provides additional resources or follow-up as necessary.

Consultation Phone Call

Bloom Therapy Collective offers a FREE 15-minute phone consultation to help you determine if our services are the right fit for your needs. During this brief call, you’ll have the chance to discuss your concerns and ask questions, allowing us to understand your goals and explain how our therapy approach can support you. This no-pressure conversation is a great first step before committing to a full initial evaluation.