Occupational therapists use various screening tools to assess individuals’ abilities, challenges, and potential areas of intervention related to activities of daily living, sensory processing, motor skills, and overall occupational functioning. These screening tools help identify areas that may require further assessment or intervention. Here are some commonly used screening tools in occupational therapy:
Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2):
Description: This test assesses various aspects of motor skills, including fine and gross motor skills, in children and adolescents.
Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS):
Description: The PDMS is used to assess both fine and gross motor development in children, focusing on reflexes, stationary skills, locomotion, and object manipulation.
Sensory Processing Measure (SPM):
Description: The SPM assesses sensory processing patterns and difficulties in children. It includes measures for sensory modulation, praxis, and social participation.
Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI):
Description: This test assesses visual-motor integration skills, which are important for tasks that require coordination between visual perception and motor skills.
Adult/Adolescent Sensory History (AASH):
Description: A screening tool designed to gather information about an individual’s sensory processing patterns and experiences.
Modified Barthel Index (MBI):
Description: MBI assesses an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and provides a measure of independence.
Functional Independence Measure (FIM):
Description: FIM assesses an individual’s level of independence in performing basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS):
Description: AMPS assesses a person’s motor and process skills in the context of performing various activities of daily living.
Short Sensory Profile (SSP):
Description: SSP is a screening tool that assesses sensory processing patterns in children. It provides a quick overview of sensory strengths and challenges.
The Allen Cognitive Level Screen (ACLS):
Description: ACLS assesses an individual’s cognitive abilities and functional performance based on their ability to complete different leather-lacing tasks.
These screening tools help occupational therapists gather valuable information about an individual’s abilities and challenges, guide further assessment or intervention, and contribute to the development of personalized treatment plans. Occupational therapists may use a combination of standardized assessments, clinical observations, and client self-report measures to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s occupational functioning.
