Comprehensive OT and/or Speech Language Assessment

A comprehensive Occupational Therapy and/or Speech Language Assessment includes three components:

1) Standardized tests when possible,

2) Subjective analysis of strengths and limitations, and detailed clinical observations in a naturalistic (non-testing) setting to assess real-time observed abilities,

3) Standardized parent-report measures.

This evaluation is conducted by one therapist with the goal of determining appropriate treatment options based on evaluation results. The comprehensive assessment does not result in a formal diagnosis. But for those who already have a diagnosis or whose primary goal is not diagnosis, the Comprehensive Assessment may meet your needs.

Our team uses a wide variety of standardized scales and parent-report measures depending on the age and needs of the client. Many of these scales were developed and nationally standardized by STAR Institute founder, Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. Dr. Miller’s scales include: The Miller Function and Participation Test (M-Fun), the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (MAP), the Toddler and Infant Motor Evaluation (TIME), and six other standardized scales.

The “right” or “best” test to administer depends on what reason that the evaluation is being conducted (e.g., different scales may be administered to determine program eligibility vs. treatment planning). Tests administered will vary based on age, stage, and purpose of assessment.

Allow about 2 hours for the Comprehensive Assessment to be administered. Scoring, interpreting, and writing a written report will usually be accomplished by the time of your feedback meeting. (An exception is for out-of-state families.)

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Multi-Disciplinary Assessment (MDA)

Our Multidisciplinary Assessment is an option when more information is needed than that which can be provided by a single professional. This assessment has a variety of parts and is administered by a team of our specialists. The specific professionals included depend on your questions. Professionals representing the disciplines needed to answer your questions will participate. Once the multi-disciplinary team is selected for your situation the assessment may include one or all of the following: a health and physical evaluation by our pediatrician, a speech/language evaluation, a sensory-motor and relationship/engagement evaluation by an occupational therapist, social-emotional evaluation by our psychologist, cognitive and achievement testing and a feeding evaluation. We may make referrals to other specialists outside our center if specific problem areas are identified.

Our Multidisciplinary Assessment uses standardized testing, detailed clinical observations, and parent-report measures to provide information from which the team develops a comprehensive, integrated treatment plan that addresses the specific needs of the child. A formal diagnosis can be addressed if this is one of your questions. MDAs are appropriate for very complex children who need an in-depth assessment in order to develop a treatment plan. 

An MDA is appropriate if you have any of the following questions

What is my child’s diagnosis?

Does my child need to be on medication?

What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses (and/or age level of functioning) overall including sensory, motor, cognitive, speech and language, social participation, play abilities, and other developmental and behavioral aspects of his/her individual profile?

What type of school program does my child need?

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Extended Occupational Therapy Assessment

Because a 2-hour assessment provides only a snapshot in time, we also offer an extended assessment, which is an assessment that begins with a 2-hour comprehensive assessment but then the assessment process is continued every day over a 1 to 2 week period, usually with one, sometimes two, professionals. The treatment sessions enable us to develop a working knowledge about the types of intervention and ongoing services we feel would be useful in addressing the child’s or adult’s needs.

This process can be started with either a comprehensive evaluation or a multidisciplinary evaluation, depending on the child and family’s needs. It provides an option for out of town clients who are unable to stay for our recommended treatment period. Those families who already have superior therapy support may also be interested in the Extended Assessment which can provide feedback directly to your therapy team at home if you wish.

The Extended Assessment includes two hours of additional time for your therapist to write treatment recommendations for you to share with your team at home. Additional consultation to your home team can be arranged via telephone or Skype at our consultation rate.

Clinical Evaluation of Child recently tested by OT

Occasionally a child will come who has recently completed standardized testing at another location. If the tests were administered and scored less than a year ahead of time, we can sometimes use those test results and administer a 1-hour observations in the clinic “mini-evaluation.” This option most likely occurs when a child is brought to us for treatment who already has the requisite testing and the main need is for the therapist to become familiar with the child before beginning treatment.

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Feeding Assessments

SOS Feeding Solutions at STAR Institute is a trans-disciplinary program for assessing and treating children with feeding and weight/growth difficulties, directed by Dr. Kay Toomey who developed the SOS Approach to Feeding Program. Our specially trained trans-disciplinary feeding team conducts several types of feeding assessments, which are used to evaluate infants, children, and adolescents with feeding, weight, and growth difficulties.

Trans-Disciplinary Feeding Assessment

A 2-hour comprehensive evaluation by our trans-disciplinary team of five specialists with 3-hour feedback/education session for parents. Professional assessors usually include: pediatrician, psychologist, registered dietitian, occupational therapist, speech/language pathologist. Dr. Kay Toomey, director of the Feeding Solutions at STAR Institute, is the team psychologist.

Assessment makes sure that all physical reasons for atypical feeding development are examined and thus can be appropriately treated (including medical issues). In addition, skills across all developmental areas are assessed as they relate to feeding.

The 3-hour assessment feedback is an opportunity to discuss your child’s strengths and challenges, and make specific follow-up recommendations for treatment options tailored to you or your child’s needs.

Condensed Feeding Assessment

A 2-hour assessment with 1-2 members of the evaluation team includes 1 hour of face-to-face time, 30-minute write up and a 30-minute discussion with parents.

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Occupational or Speech Assessment Feedback

Feedback is provided to the parents (or adult Self) after the scales are administered and scored. In most cases, the evaluator will provide clients with a rough draft of assessment results at this meeting. Parents (adult self-advocates) can then read the draft and point out any inconsistencies or inaccuracies before the final report is produced. If possible, we appreciate attendance at this feedback session by both parents/caretakers.

Feedback on feeding assessments is usually provided the afternoon of the evaluation and the report is provided at a later time.

Goal Writing Session (Occupational, Speech, and Feeding Therapies)

For those clients continuing on to intervention, a 1-hour goal writing session is scheduled and then intervention begins. (See Treatment to read about these segments.)

Process of Screening, Assessment, and Feedback at STAR Institute

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How To Start the Assessment Process

1 - Complete Inquiry Form

The first step is to complete the online Inquiry Form. If you have questions before sending in your forms, please write us at: treatment@sensoryhealth.org or call us at 303-221-STAR (221-7827)

2 - Complete Intake Forms

Once your inquiry has been received, we will be sent a link to our patient portal to complete our intake forms. We need detailed information about your medical and neurodevelopmental history to best understand and help you. This information is a crucial part of your evaluation process and will assist us with advising the best next steps for you. 

We look forward to receiving your information. A STAR representative will be in touch within 2 business days after your intake form is received. 

3 - Schedule an Intake Appointment

Once your form is received and reviewed, we typically schedule a no-cost Intake appointment. The Intake is a review of the client’s developmental history and presenting problems. We also review tests that may have been done elsewhere. On occasion, after your form is received and reviewed, an assessment will be recommended without requiring an Intake appointment.  

4 - Assessment

The Assessment is a comprehensive (1 to 5 hour) evaluation consisting of standardized testing, observations in a clinical setting, patient-report measures, and, if indicated, an auditory battery. (An individual must be at least 5 years old to receive auditory testing.) The Assessment provides information for designing treatment. A written report explaining the results is provided during the Feedback Session, which follows the Assessment and provides a complete review of our findings. Parents are asked to attend the Feedback Session without their children so that results and a potential treatment plan can be discussed in detail. 

5 - Assessment Feedback is Given