What to Expect at Your Child's First Therapy Evaluation

It's Normal to Feel Nervous

If your child has been referred for a therapy evaluation, you might be feeling a mix of emotions — hope, anxiety, uncertainty, maybe even guilt. Every parent who walks through our door has felt the same way.

Here's what we want you to know: the evaluation is not a test your child can pass or fail. It's a conversation — between you, your child, and our therapist — designed to understand your child's strengths, challenges, and how we can best support them.

Before the Visit: How to Prepare

What to bring:

• Insurance card (we verify benefits before your visit)
• Referral from your pediatrician (if required by your plan)
• Previous evaluations or reports — IEPs, school assessments, medical records
• A snack and water — evaluations can take 45–90 minutes
• A comfort item — favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal
• Your questions — write them down so you don't forget

How to prepare your child:

• Keep it simple: "We're going to visit someone who plays with kids!"
• Don't over-prepare — too much information can create anxiety
• Bring them rested and fed (hungry or tired kids don't show their best)
• Let them bring a favorite toy — it helps our therapists connect with them

What Happens During the Evaluation

1. Parent Interview (10–15 minutes)

We start by talking with you. You know your child better than anyone, and your observations are essential. We'll ask about:

• Your concerns and what prompted the referral
• Developmental history — when they walked, talked, etc.
• Medical history — any diagnoses, medications, or hospitalizations
• Daily routines — eating, sleeping, transitions, play
• What your child loves — interests, motivators, favorite activities
• Family dynamics — siblings, routines, cultural considerations

2. Observation and Interaction (30–60 minutes)

This is where we get to know your child. Depending on the type of evaluation, this might include:

Speech-Language Evaluation:

• Play-based interaction to observe communication
• Standardized assessments for language comprehension and expression
• Observation of speech sounds and clarity
• Assessment of social communication and pragmatic skills

Occupational Therapy Evaluation:

• Fine motor activities (drawing, cutting, building)
• Sensory processing observations
• Self-care skills assessment
• Visual-motor integration tasks

Physical Therapy Evaluation:

• Gross motor skills (walking, running, jumping, climbing)
• Balance and coordination tasks
• Strength and flexibility assessment
• Movement quality observation

ABA Assessment:

• Behavioral observation across settings
• Skill assessment across communication, social, play, and self-care domains
• Identification of behavioral patterns and functions
• Preference and motivation assessment

3. Summary and Recommendations (10–15 minutes)

After the evaluation, your therapist will:

• Share what they observed — strengths first, then areas of need
• Explain whether therapy is recommended
• Outline a proposed treatment plan with goals
• Answer all your questions
• Discuss scheduling and frequency

What We're NOT Doing

• We're not judging you. Your parenting isn't being evaluated.
• We're not labeling your child. We're identifying how to help.
• We're not committing you. You can take time to decide.
• We're not looking for problems. We're looking at the whole child — strengths included.

Common Questions Parents Ask

"Will my child cry?" Maybe — new situations can be challenging. Our therapists are experts at building rapport and helping kids feel safe. Most children warm up quickly.

"Can I stay in the room?" Absolutely. For most evaluations, we encourage parents to be present. Your child feels safer, and you can see everything we're doing.

"How long will it take to get results?" You'll receive a verbal summary the same day. A written report typically follows within 1–2 weeks.

"What if the evaluation shows everything is fine?" That's a great outcome! We'll share strategies to continue supporting your child's development at home.

"What if my child doesn't cooperate?" It happens — and it's information too. We're skilled at adapting to your child's needs and can still gather meaningful data even on a tough day.

After the Evaluation

If therapy is recommended, here's what comes next:

1. Insurance authorization — we handle this for you
2. Scheduling — we'll find times that work for your family
3. First therapy session — this is where the fun starts
4. Ongoing communication — regular updates on progress and goals

You're Doing the Right Thing

By scheduling an evaluation, you're already advocating for your child. That takes courage and love — and it matters more than you know.

• 📋 Schedule a free screening to get started
• 🌱 Try our Little Leaps Milestone Checker first
• 📞 Call (719) 598-5555 with any questions

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WellCare & Nurture Pediatric Therapy provides comprehensive evaluations in ABA, speech, occupational, and physical therapy at our two Colorado Springs locations.