Kioko Center

An evaluation is the start of a therapeutic relationship. It is an opportunity to gather data, observe, and use critical thinking skills. Standardized assessments provide data for qualifying children for services. They can also establish a baseline for creating goals and designing a remediation plan. Selecting an appropriate motor assessment for your client will ensure that the child can engage and that you collect the information you need. Considerations when choosing an evaluation should include the child’s age, referral reason, test length, types of activities included as testing tasks, and what the test is measuring. A description of four motor assessments commonly used by both OTs and PTs are described below. Bruininks-Oseretsy Test of Motor Proficiency (2nd Edition) Also known as the BOT-2, this tool is widely used by occupational and physical therapists. Fine motor categories include fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, and upper-limb coordination. Bi...

Often considered the sixth sense, proprioception is essential for body awareness and movement. The sensory receptors are in the muscles and joints. These receptors send messages to the brain about body positioning and the direction and strength needed for a particular movement. For example, how to precisely stack blocks without knocking them over or pouring water from one cup to another. Development of the proprioceptive system began when your child was still in the womb. Early activities like skin-to-skin contact, tummy time, and shifting weight all help babies understand where their body is and how it moves. As children develop and participate in increasingly complex activities, feedback from their proprioceptive system is essential to their success. While all children benefit from heavy work, your child may especially make gains from activities that provide proprioceptive input if he or she:  Is constantly on the move: Jumping, bumping, and crashing. Frequently knocks over const...