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Occupational Therapy Assessments & Reports
Sometimes the clearest way to understand what someone needs is to see how they’re going with the everyday things that matter to them — getting dressed, writing at school, managing a morning routine, or feeling steady in a busy classroom. Our occupational therapy assessments look at exactly that, building a genuine picture of a person’s strengths and needs so the right support can follow.
Assessments and reports are provided by our Springwood-based OT team, for children, teens and adults. Whether you need an assessment to guide therapy, a report for school or an NDIS review, or documentation to support a funding decision, we can help.
Worried about the cost? Weekly payment plans are available. We know a private assessment is a significant investment, and we never want cost to be the reason a family goes without answers. You can spread the fee across manageable weekly payments, with the final report released once the assessment has been paid in full. There’s no need to have it all worked out before you enquire — just ask, and we’ll find an approach that works for your family.
Types of OT Assessments
The right assessment depends on the person and what we’re trying to understand. Our OT team draws on a range of standardised tools and clinical observation, including:
- Motor assessments — fine and gross motor skills, visual motor integration, and handwriting analysis or speed testing
- Sensory assessments — sensory profile questionnaires (completed by a parent/carer or the individual) and school companion sensory questionnaires
- Social and emotional assessments — assessment of self-regulation, and interoceptive awareness questionnaires
- Activities of daily living (ADL) assessments — task analysis and assessment of occupational functioning
- Cognition and adaptive behaviour assessments — parent, carer or self-report questionnaires alongside clinical observation
Assessment selection is always individualised, based on the concerns raised at intake and the goals identified together in your first sessions.
Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA)
A Functional Capacity Assessment is a comprehensive look at how someone manages daily activities across a range of areas — communication, personal care, executive functioning, self-management, motor skills, social participation and adaptive behaviour.
FCAs are commonly used to provide evidence to the NDIS to help determine ongoing funding needs and the supports required. The process usually involves talking with the individual, family members and other relevant people such as a teacher or employer, combined with standardised assessment and clinical observation, to build a complete and accurate picture.
An FCA report typically includes background information (diagnoses, living or school context, and reason for referral), a summary of functional status across key areas, progress toward NDIS or therapy goals, any risks associated with reduced funding or support, barriers to accessing services, and clear recommendations — including therapy frequency, strategies, and any assistive technology or supports needed. The aim is always to support good decision-making and genuinely improve day-to-day participation and independence.
OT Reports We Provide
Beyond formal assessments, our OT team writes a range of reports to support therapy, funding and everyday participation:
- Functional Assessment Reports — see above
- Letters to school or workplace — explaining how a student or employee can be supported, including strategies, accommodations or environment modifications
- NDIS progress or plan review reports — summarising therapy progress, achievements and ongoing challenges, to support plan reassessments
- Assistive technology reports — recommending devices or equipment, with the clinical justification needed for funding
- Sensory, behaviour or emotional support reports — explaining difficulties with sensory processing, self-regulation or behaviour, with strategies and environmental modifications
- Cognitive and executive function reports — detailing attention, memory, planning, organisation and problem-solving, with recommendations for home, school or work
- Progress summary reports — an overview of progress over a period of therapy
- Discharge reports — summarising outcomes and strategies to maintain skills and supports independently once therapy ends
What to Expect
- Initial enquiry — we talk through your current concerns and confirm occupational therapy, and our service, is the right fit
- Intake process — once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll be sent intake forms covering funding, background information and the reason for referral, so your first session is focused and efficient
- Initial consultation — in person or via telehealth, to get to know you or your child, understand current challenges and strengths, and discuss goals and preferred session location
- Assessment — formal and/or informal assessment, selected based on your individual needs and goals
- Goal setting — by around session four or five, we set collaborative goals together with you and your family, so they’re meaningful, functional, and aligned with everyday participation and NDIS goals where relevant
Therapy and assessment can take place in clinic, at home, at school, in the community, or a combination — whatever suits your circumstances best.
Referrals & Funding
A formal referral is not required to access our occupational therapy services. A referral from a GP is only needed if you’re accessing services through a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan.
Before your first appointment, you’ll complete a short intake form covering how you’ll be funding sessions (private, NDIS or CDM), how your NDIS plan is managed if relevant, and the main reason you’re seeking support. If we don’t think our service is the right fit for your needs, we’ll let you know before therapy begins, so your time and funding are used well.
Payment plans. Assessments and reports are a significant investment, so we offer weekly payment plans to help spread the cost. For assessments, the final report is released once it has been paid in full — just ask and we’ll set up a plan that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can occupational therapy assessments help?
We support people of all ages — NDIS participants (self or plan-managed), private clients, and people accessing services through a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan. Common reasons for referral include self-care skills, gross and fine motor development, sensory processing, play and social skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and safety awareness — the specific focus varies with age and individual needs.
Do I need a referral for an OT assessment?
No formal referral is needed in most cases. A GP referral is only required if you’re accessing services under a Chronic Disease Management plan.
How long does an assessment or report take?
This depends on the type of assessment or report and individual needs — we’ll give you a clear idea of timeframes during your initial consultation.
Do you offer payment plans for assessments?
Yes. We know assessments are a significant cost, so we offer weekly payment plans that let you spread the fee over time. The final report is finalised and released once the assessment has been paid in full. Get in touch and we’ll set up a plan that works for your family.
Can OT, psychology and speech pathology work together?
Yes. Occupational therapy and psychology often support the same goals — like emotional regulation, coping strategies and executive functioning — from different but complementary angles. Psychology focuses on emotional and social wellbeing, while OT focuses on the sensory system, interoception and environment, helping someone recognise their internal states and use strategies to participate fully in daily life. And because our Springwood clinic also houses speech pathology and psychology under one roof, an OT assessment doesn’t happen in isolation — where it helps, our clinicians share insights and coordinate support, so you get a genuinely holistic picture rather than three separate opinions.
Are assessments available outside Springwood?
Our OT team is based at Springwood and also travels within 10km of the clinic for home, school or kindy visits where appropriate.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re not sure which assessment or report is right for your situation, our team is happy to talk it through with you. Assessment findings can flow straight into coordinated OT, psychology or speech support here at the same clinic — and weekly payment plans are available if cost is a concern.