Equipment Assessment
The equipment assessment is needed when a condition is currently having or will eventually have a significant impact upon your child's function as a result of progressive or non-progressive condition. The equipment assessment may be necessary to provide advice on the correct selection of aids and adaptations that will maximise their independence. This could be something as simple as adapted cutlery or as complicated as housing adaptations. The occupational therapist would use their clinical expertise to ascertain what level of adaptive equipment may be needed.
Where and how is it completed?
The Equipment assessment is an assessment that can take place in clinic, at home or in school. It is usually completed by observing activities relating to transport, safety around the home and mobility. Through observation of these tasks, the therapist can assess the biggest risks to safety and offer advice on the most suitable piece of equipment that can enable them to safely do these activities.
What problems may be suitable for an Equipment assessment?
There are many problems that may require an Occupational Therapy assessment to determine if your child requires any aids or adaptations. Some of these are:
- Low level function in limbs
- Difficulty walking for long periods
- Difficulty eating
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty entering and exiting vehicles/the home
- Difficulty standing for long periods
- Difficulty getting dressed
- Poor handwriting
Conditions associated with an Equipment assessment
Below is a list of conditions that an occupational therapist may work with when determining if the child needs any adaptive aids or equipment:- Cerebral Palsy
- Stroke
- Neurological conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Hydrocephalus
- Dyspraxia
- Developmental co-ordination disorder
Impact on the environment:
Impact on the school
The Equipment assessment also considers how the condition is impacting upon the child within the school environment. This would include a detailed discussion and practical assessment of how easily it is for your child to move around school, get to lessons on time and access the facilities.
Impact on the home
The therapist will also assess how your child copes around the home, in terms of independently completing activities such as eating, dressing, going up stairs and moving around the home safely. These sorts of difficulties could put stress and strain on the family, as an adult will most likely be sacrificing their time to look after the child.
Social/Behavioural implications
The decision to choose to have equipment that can show a difference between your child and others is difficult, however you can be assured that our therapists will talk through any concerns you may have regarding this and offer advice on how to manage this, and provide your child with the confidence and understanding to support the use of adaptive equipment.
What information will I receive following an Equipment assessment?
Following an assessment, the therapist will discuss the outcomes of the assessment with you and how this is impacting on home and school. If desired you can request to receive an Equipment report based on the findings of this assessment. This will contain a detailed analysis of the impact the condition is having on your life, a treatment plan and recommendations that will improve your daily living.Treatment following an Equipment assessment
Following an equipment assessment is it likely that your child may benefit from other forms of Occupational Therapy, below is a list of some of the other available interventions:- Fine motor games
- Gross motor groups
- 1:1 therapy
- Aids and adaptation advice and education
- Education
Summary
In summary, the equipment assessment would be used to determine if a condition is having or will have a serious impact on function within school and at home, alongside the social implications this may have. The therapist would be there to assess and analytically describe the most suitable piece of equipment to maximise your Childs independence and be there to discuss any concerns you may be having.If you would like an Equipment assessment or want to talk about any of the problems above then please email office@otforkids.co.uk or call us on 0330 223 0888
Next steps:Please contact one of our experienced occupational therapists today and we will gladly discuss how we can help and what services we can offer you.
- 0330 223 0888
- office@otforkids.co.uk
- 2 Hagley Rd, Salford M5 3EY [map]
OT for Kids have been a great help in aiding my son Jake with coping with his dyspraxia both at home and in school. They came out to our house and completed the assessment at home.
