How Progress is Measured in Occupational Therapy Sessions
Occupational Therapy (OT) is essential for helping children develop important skills related to daily activities, motor coordination, sensory processing, and independence. But how do we measure progress in Occupational Therapy sessions? At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, we carefully track each child’s progress. We do this by setting clear goals, recording data, and checking how the child is doing after every session. We also make sure that the child is using their new skills in other environments like home, school, or preschool.
Here’s a closer look at how we measure progress during Occupational Therapy sessions.
Setting Goals After the Assessment
The first step in Occupational Therapy is a thorough assessment. This helps the Occupational Therapist understand the child’s current abilities. The therapist will look at the child’s motor skills, sensory processing, daily living skills, and any challenges the child faces. After the assessment, the Occupational Therapist sets specific goals for therapy. These goals are tailored to the child’s unique needs.
Goals are an important part of Occupational Therapy because they give us a clear direction for therapy. Each goal is specific and focuses on a particular skill the child needs to learn. For example, a goal might be, “The child will independently put on their shoes 9 out of 10 times.”
Writing Clear and Measurable Goals
When writing goals, the Occupational Therapist makes sure they are clear and easy to measure. This helps track progress more effectively. Each goal includes three main parts:
- Target Behaviour: This is the skill the child needs to learn. For example, if the child has difficulty with fine motor skills, the target behaviour might be buttoning their shirt independently.
- Level of Prompting: The goal also explains how much help the child will need to achieve the target behaviour. This could be verbal prompts, visual cues, or physical assistance. Over time, the goal is for the child to perform the skill with less help, showing increased independence.
- Criterion to Pass the Goal: Every goal has a criterion that shows when the child has mastered the skill. This is often written as a percentage or a specific number of successful attempts. For example, “The child will complete buttoning with 80% accuracy over three sessions.”
These clear and measurable goals allow us to track the child’s progress accurately.
Recording Data for Each Activity
During each Occupational Therapy session, the therapist records data for every activity. This data helps us understand how well the child is doing with the target behaviour. The Occupational Therapist tracks the number of correct responses, the level of prompting needed, and any patterns that emerge during the session.
For example, if the child is working on fine motor skills, the therapist will note how many times the child completes the task correctly and how much prompting was needed. By recording this data regularly, we can see trends in the child’s progress.
Checking Occupational Therapy Progress After Each Session
At the end of each session, the Occupational Therapist reviews the data to check the child’s progress. If the child is meeting the goal’s criterion consistently, it may be time to move on to a new goal. But if the child is struggling with the target behaviour, the therapist may adjust the approach. This could mean providing more support or breaking the skill down into smaller steps.
This regular monitoring ensures that the therapy is always matched to the child’s needs. By checking progress after every session, the therapist can keep the child on track and make sure they are moving towards their goals.
Adjusting Goals as the Child Progresses
As the child reaches their goals, the Occupational Therapist adjusts the therapy plan. New goals are set to challenge the child and help them continue developing their skills. For example, once a child can dress independently, the next goal might focus on more complex self-care tasks like tying shoelaces.
Adjusting goals keeps therapy challenging and interesting for the child. It also ensures that they are constantly progressing and building on the skills they have already learned.
Monitoring Occupational Therapy Progress in Other Environments
It’s important that the skills learned in therapy are used in everyday life. That’s why Occupational Therapists at OneOnOne Children’s Therapy also monitor how the child is doing in other environments, like home, school, or preschool. The therapist may talk to parents and teachers to see if the child is using their new skills outside of therapy.
For example, if the child is working on self-care skills, the Occupational Therapist might ask if they are dressing themselves independently at home and at school. If the child isn’t using the skills in different settings, the therapist may work on strategies to help. This could involve practicing the skill in more natural situations during therapy or giving parents and teachers ideas for supporting the child.
A Collaborative Approach
Measuring progress in Occupational Therapy is a team effort. It involves the Occupational Therapist, the child, their family, and their teachers. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, we believe in a collaborative approach to therapy. By working together, we can ensure that the child’s progress in therapy leads to real improvements in their daily life.
Our team of Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and Certified ESDM Therapists work closely together to provide high-quality, individualised therapy. We are dedicated to supporting your child’s development and helping them reach their full potential.
Conclusion
In Occupational Therapy, progress is carefully measured through clear goal-setting, regular data collection, and ongoing adjustments to the therapy plan. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we also make sure that the child is using their new skills in other environments, such as home and school. This holistic approach helps children develop important life skills, gain independence, and thrive in their daily activities.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Occupational Therapy can support your child’s development, contact OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot. You can email us or book a phone consultation to discuss your child’s unique needs. We’re here to help your child thrive! Our Occupational Therapists are AHPRA registered.
