Occupational Therapists often use screening questionnaires (questions + observations) to decide whether a child needs OT and which areas need support.
Below is a parent-friendly OT screening Q&A checklist. It is not a diagnosis, but it helps decide OT need and priority.

What Occupational Therapy REALLY means?

OT NEED SCREENING – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

👉 Answer YES / NO / SOMETIMES
More YES/SOMETIMES = stronger OT need

1. Sensory Processing (Very Important)

Tactile (Touch)

• Does your child avoid certain clothes or textures?

• Does your child dislike haircuts, nail cutting, bathing?

• Does light touch upset your child more than firm pressure?

Auditory (Sound)

• Does your child cover ears to normal sounds?

• Does noise cause meltdowns or panic?

• Is it hard for your child to focus with background noise?

Movement / Body Awareness

• Does your child crash into things or people?

• Does your child constantly jump, spin, or run?

• Does your child seek tight hugs or pressure?

👉 If YES to 3+ questions → OT strongly recommended

2. Self-Regulation & Emotional Control

• Does your child have frequent meltdowns?

• Is it hard for your child to calm down once upset?

• Does your child overreact to small changes?

• Does your child struggle with transitions?

👉 YES/SOMETIMES → OT needed for regulation

3. Gross Motor & Postural Control

• Does your child tire quickly while sitting?

• Does your child slouch or lean a lot?

• Does your child fall more than other children?

• Does your child avoid playground equipment?

👉 YES to 2+ → OT needed

4. Fine Motor & Visual-Motor Skills

• Does your child struggle to hold a pencil or spoon?

• Is handwriting messy or avoided?

• Does your child struggle with buttons or zippers?

• Does your child avoid puzzles or drawing?

👉 YES to 2+ → OT needed

5. Motor Planning (Praxis)

• Does your child struggle with new movements?

• Does your child need demonstrations repeatedly?

• Does your child get frustrated with physical tasks?

• Does your child avoid sports or movement games?

👉 YES → OT needed for motor planning

6. Daily Living Skills (ADLs)

• Is your child dependent for dressing or feeding?

• Does your child struggle with toileting routines?

• Does your child resist brushing teeth or hair?

👉 YES → OT needed

QUICK OT NEED SCORE (Simple)

• 0–5 YES → Monitor / home strategies

• 6–10 YES → OT recommended

• 11+ YES → OT strongly needed (regular sessions)

What OTs Do After Screening

A professional OT will then:

• observe posture, movement, play

• assess sensory responses

• test fine & gross motor skills

• create an Individualized OT Plan

Important Clarification

• This does NOT diagnose autism or ADHD

• It only identifies functional needs for OT

When to Seek OT Immediately

✔ frequent meltdowns
✔ sensory distress
✔ delayed self-care skills
✔ poor sitting/attention
✔ unsafe sensory seeking

Key OT Rule

The earlier OT starts, the easier the brain adapts.