Assessment tools can take a top-down approach or a bottom-up approach. A top-down approach starts with the evaluation of the occupations and takes a more global perspective of the client’s ability to participate in a given activity within a given context. A bottom-up approach starts with the evaluation of the fundamental performance skills and client factors required for completion of the activities in question with the assumption that deficits will result in performance difficulties.
Tools can be either criterion referenced or norm referenced. Criterion referenced tests measure performance against a pass-fail criteria that determines whether or not a client can perform a particular skill. A common example of criterion referenced tests are typical classroom tests developed by teachers. Norm referenced tests measure performance against a normative sample in order to rank that client against the “norm.” A common example of norm referenced tests are tests such as the SAT or ACT or annual academic assessments such as the ITBS.
Many pediatric assessment tools give an age equivalency score. This score is based on a median or mean raw score of a particular age and it estimates the child’s approximate developmental age to determine whether the child is developing normally.
After reviewing the information on this page, use the free quiz at the bottom of the page to test your knowledge.
Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS):
A measure of reflexes and gross motor skills.
Authors: Martha Piper, PhD, PT, & Johanna Darrah, MSc, PT
Date of Publication: 1994
Age Range: The Alberta Infant Motor Scale is designed for infants age 0 to 18 months.
Measures: The Alberta Infant Motor scale measures reflexes and gross motor skills.
Administration time: The administration time for the Alberta Infant Motor Scale is unspecified as it is dependent upon the observation of spontaneous activity.
Purchase: Motor Assessment of the Developing Infant, Alberta Infant Motor Scale Record Booklet (50 pack)
References and Further Reading:
Piper, M. C., & Darrah, J. (1994). Alberta infant motor scale record booklet: Package of 50 (First ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders.
Piper, M. C., & Darrah, J. (1994). Motor assessment of the developing infant (First ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Assessment of Motor & Process Skills:
A measure of ADL performance.
Author: Anne G. Fisher, ScD, OT, FAOTA
Date of Publication: 1990
Age Range: The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills is designed for individuals 2 years of age and older.
Measures: The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills measures ADL performance.
Administration time: Administration time for the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills is 30-40 minutes.
Purchase: Requires a certification course
References and Further Reading:
AMPS Overview. (2020, March 18). Retrieved October 06, 2020, from https://www.innovativeotsolutions.com/tools/amps/
Fisher, A. G., Liu, Y., Velozo, C. A., & Pan, A. W. (1992). Cross-cultural assessment of process skills. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46, 876–885. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.46.10.876
Fisher, A. G. (1994). Development of a functional assessment that adjusts ability measures for task simplicity and rater leniency. In M. Wilson (Ed.), Objective measurement: Theory into practice (Vol 2, pp. 145–175). Norwood, NJ: Ablex.
Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Edition (Bayley-4):
A measure of infant and toddler development.
Authors: Nancy Bayley, PhD, & Glen Aylward, PhD, ABPP
Date of Publication: 2019
Age Range: The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Ed. is designed for infants 16 days to 42 months of age.
Measures: The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Ed. measures cognitive, language, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive skills.
Administration time: Administration time for the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Ed. is 30-70 minutes.
Purchase: Bayley-4 Complete Kit and Screening Test Combination Kit
References and Further Reading:
Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Edition. (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2020, from https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Cognition-%26-Neuro/Bayley-Scales-of-Infant-and-Toddler-Development-%7C-Fourth-Edition/p/100001996.html
Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 (BOT-2):
A measure of fine and gross motor skills.
Authors: Robert H. Bruininks, PhD & Brett D. Bruininks, PhD
Date of Publication: 2005
Age Range: The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 is designed for children ages 4 to 22 years.
Measures: The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 measures fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, bilateral coordination, balance, running speed and agility, and strength.
Administration time: The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 can be administered as the short form which takes 15-20 minutes, or as the complete form which takes 40-60 minutes.
Purchase: BOT-2 Complete Form Test Kit
References and Further Reading:
Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd Edition. (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2020, from https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Motor-Sensory/Bruininks-Oseretsky-Test-of-Motor-Proficiency-%7C-Second-Edition/p/100000648.html
Children’s Handwriting Evaluation Scale for Manuscript Writing (CHES-M):
A measure of manuscript handwriting performance.
Author: Joanne Phelps and Lynn Stempel
Date of Publication: 1987
Age Range: The Children’s Handwriting Evaluation Scale for Manuscript Writing is designed for children in 1st through 2nd grade.
Measures: The Children’s Handwriting Evaluation Scale for Manuscript Writing measures manuscript handwriting legibility and speed.
Administration Time: The administration time for the Children’s Handwriting Evaluation Scale for Manuscript Writing is 2 minutes, with additional time required for scoring.
Purchase:
References and Further Reading:
Phelps, J., & Stempel, L. (1988). The Children’s Handwriting Evaluation Scale for Manuscript Writing. Reading Improvement, 25.
Denver Developmental Screening Test-II:
A measure of early pediatric development.
Authors: William K. Frankenburg, MD & Josiah B. Dodds, PhD
Date of Publication: 1992
Age Range: The Denver Developmental Screening Test-II is designed for children from birth to 6 years of age.
Measures: The Denver Developmental Screening Test-II measures development in the areas of gross motor skills, language skills, fine motor-adaptive skills, and personal-social skills.
Administration time: Administration time for the Denver Developmental Screening Test-II is approximately 20 minutes.
Purchase: The Denver Developmental Screening Test-II is no longer available for purchase, but test forms and other materials can be found here.
References and Further Reading:
Denver Developmental Materials, Inc. (2015). Retrieved October 06, 2020, from https://denverii.com/
Developmental Test of Visual Perception, 3rd Edition (DTVP-3):
A measure of visual perceptual and visual motor skills.
Authors: Donald D. Hammill, PhD, Nils A. Pearson, & Judith K. Voress, PhD
Date of Publication: 2013
Age Range: The Developmental Test of Visual Perception, 3rd Ed. is designed for children ages 4 through 12 years.
Measures: The Developmental Test of Visual Perception, 3rd Ed. measures visual perception and visual motor skills.
Administration time: Administration time for the Developmental Test of Visual Perception, 3rd Ed. is 20-40 minutes.
Purchase: Developmental Test of Visual Perception complete kit
References and Further Reading:
Developmental Test of Visual Perception, 3rd Edition. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2020, from https://www.proedinc.com/Products/13700/dtvp3-developmental-test-of-visual-perception–third-edition.aspx
Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children (DOTCA-Ch):
A measure of learning potential and thinking strategies.
Authors: Noomi Katz, PhD, OTR, Shula Parush, PhD, OT, & Ruthie Traub Bar-Ilan, MSc, OT
Date of Publication: 2004
Age Range: The Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children is designed for children ages 6 to 12 years.
Measures: The Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children measures learning potential and thinking strategies.
Administration time: Administration time for the Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children is 1.5 hours.
Purchase: Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children
References and Further Reading:
DOTCA-CHTM Battery – Dynamic Occupational Therapy Category Assessment for Children. (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2020, from https://www.maddak.com/pdf/Content/Assessments_2020_DOTCA-CH.pdf
Katz, N., Golstand, S., Bar-Ilan, R. T., & Parush, S. (2007). The Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children (DOTCA-Ch): A New Instrument for Assessing Learning Potential. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(1), 41-52. doi:10.5014/ajot.61.1.41
Evaluation Tool of Children’s Handwriting (ETCH):
A measure of handwriting legibility and speed.
Author: Susan J. Amundson, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Date of Publication: 1995
Age Range: The Evaluation Tool of Children’s Handwriting is designed for children in grades 1 through 6.
Measures: The Evaluation Tool of Children’s Handwriting measures legibility and speed of cursive and manuscript handwriting.
Administration time: Administration time for the Evaluation Tool of Children’s Handwriting is 15-30 minutes.
Purchase: Evaluation Tool of Children’s Handwriting complete test kit
References and Further Reading:
Amundson, S. J. (1995). Evaluation tool of children’s handwriting: ETCH examiner’s manual. Homer, AK: O.T. KIDS.
Amundson, S. J. (2004). ETCH. Retrieved November 05, 2020, from http://www.alaska.net/~otkids/ETCH.html
Knox Preschool Play Scale, Revised:
A measure of preschool play.
Authors: L. Diane Parham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA & Linda S. Fazio, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Date of Publication: 2008
Age Range: The Knox Preschool Play Scale is designed for children from birth to 6 years of age.
Measures: The Knox Preschool Play Scale measures play behavior in four dimensions including space management, material management, pretense-symbolic, and participation through observation of the child in both the indoor and outdoor natural environment.
Administration time: Administration of the Knox Preschool Play Scale requires at least two 30-minute sessions of observation time, indoors and outdoors.
Purchase: Play in Occupational Therapy for Children
References and Further Reading:
Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (MAP):
A measure of pre-academic skills.
Author: Lucy Jane Miller
Date of Publication: 1982
Age Range: The Miller Assessment for Preschoolers is designed for children ages 2 years 9 months through 5 years 8 months.
Measures: The Miller Assessment for Preschoolers measures pre-academic skills including motor and praxis skills, sensory perceptual skills, cognitive skills, emotional regulation skills, communication and social skills.
Administration time: Administration time for the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers is 25-35 minutes.
Purchase: Miller Assessment for Preschoolers
References and Further Reading:
Banus, B. J. (1983). The Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (MAP): An Introduction and Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 37(5), 333-340. doi:10.5014/ajot.37.5.333
Minnesota Handwriting Assessment:
A measure of handwriting skills.
Author: Judith Reisman, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Date of Publication: 1999
Age Range: The Minnesota Handwriting Assessment is designed for children in 1st through 2nd grade.
Measures: The Minnesota Handwriting Assessment measures handwriting skills.
Administration time: Administration time for the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment is 2.5 minutes.
Purchase: Minnesota Handwriting Assessment
References and Further Reading:
Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. (n.d.). Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Motor-Sensory/Minnesota-Handwriting-Assessment/p/100000275.html
Reisman, J. (1999). Minnesota handwriting assessment. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological.
Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-II (PDMS-II):
A measure of fine and gross motor skills.
Authors: M. Rhonda Folio and Rebecca R. Fewell
Date of Publication: 2000
Age Range: The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-II is designed for children from birth through 5 years of age.
Measures: The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-II measures the fine motor skills of grasping and visual-motor integration and gross motor skills of reflexes, stationary, locomotion, and object manipulation.
Administration time: Administration time for the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-II is 45-60 minutes for entire test or 20-30 minutes for each sub scale.
Purchase: Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-II complete kit
References and Further Reading:
Folio MR, Fewell RR. PDMS-2 Peabody developmental motor scales second edition. Austin: PRO-ED Inc. 2000.
Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI):
A measure of self-care, mobility, and social function.
Authors: Stephen M. Haley, PhD, PT, FAPTA, Wendy J. Coster, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Larry H. Ludlow, Jane T. Haltiwanger, PhD, and Peter J. Andrellos
Date of Publication: 1992
Age Range: The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory is designed for children ages 6 months to 7 years, but can also be used for older children with developmental delays.
Measures: The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory measures self-care, mobility, and social function.
Administration time: Administration time for the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory is 45-60 minutes.
Purchase: Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory
References and Further Reading:
Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. (n.d.). Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Developmental-Early-Childhood/Pediatric-Evaluation-of-Disability-Inventory/p/100000505.html
Pediatric Functional Independence Measure II (WeeFIM II):
A measure of self-care, mobility, and cognition.
Author: Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation
Date of Publication: 2011
Age Range: The Pediatric Functional Independence Measure II is designed for children from birth through adolescence.
Measures: The Pediatric Functional Independence Measure II measures self-care, mobility, and cognition.
Administration time: Administration time for the Pediatric Functional Independence Measure II is 15 minutes.
Purchase: WeeFIM II subscription
References and Further Reading:
(2011) WeeFIM II®. In: Kreutzer J.S., DeLuca J., Caplan B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_4889
The Print Tool:
A measure of handwriting skills.
Authors: Jan Z. Olsen, OTR and Emily F. Knapton, OTR/L
Date of Publication: 2006
Age Range: The Print Tool is designed for children in kindergarten and older.
Measures: The Print Tool measures handwriting skills with specific identification of the letters, numbers, or character components that are causing difficulty.
Administration time: Administration time for The Print Tool is 15 minutes.
Purchase: The Print Tool
References and Further Reading:
The Print Tool Evaluation & Remediation Package. (n.d.). Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/TOOL/assessments
School Function Assessment (SFA):
A measure of functional elementary school tasks.
Authors: Wendy Coster, PhD, OTR/L, Theresa Deeney, EdD, Jane Haltiwanger, PhD, and Stephen Haley, PhD, PT
Date of Publication: 1998
Age Range: The School Function Assessment is designed for children in kindergarten through 6th grade.
Measures: The School Function Assessment measures a child’s ability to perform functional tasks in order to participate within the elementary school setting.
Administration time: Administration time for the School Function Assessment is 1.5-2 hours.
Purchase: School Function Assessment complete kit
References and Further Reading:
School Function Assessment. (n.d.). Retrieved November 06, 2020, from https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Behavior/Adaptive/School-Function-Assessment/p/100000547.html
Sensory Integration and Praxis Test:
A measure of sensory integration and praxis skills.
Author: A. Jean Ayres
Date of Publication: 1989
Age Range: The Sensory Integration and Praxis Test is designed for children from 4 to 9 years of age.
Measures: The Sensory Integration and Praxis Test measures tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive, visual perceptive, visual motor coordination, bilateral integration, sequencing, and praxis skills.
Administration time: Administration time for the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test is 10 minutes/section or 2 hours total.
Purchase: Sensory Integration and Praxis Test
References and Further Reading:
(SIPT) Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests. (n.d.). Retrieved November 06, 2020, from https://www.wpspublish.com/sipt-sensory-integration-and-praxis-tests
Sensory Processing Measure (SPM):
A measure of sensory functioning across settings.
Authors: L. Diane Parham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Cheryl Ecker, MA, OTR/L, Heather Miller Kuhaneck, MS, OTR/L, Diana A. Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, and Tara J. Glennon, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Date of Publication: 2007
Age Range: The Sensory Processing Measures is designed for children ages 5 to 12 years.
Measures: The Sensory Processing Measure measures sensory functioning at home, school, and in the community.
Administration time: Administration time for the Sensory Processing Measure is 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes; 15-20 minutes for home form and main classroom form, and 5-10 minutes for each school environment form (6 total).
Purchase: Sensory Processing Measure kit
References and Further Reading:
(SPM™) Sensory Processing Measure. (n.d.). Retrieved November 06, 2020, from https://www.wpspublish.com/spm-sensory-processing-measure
Sensory Profile 2:
A measure of sensory processing.
Author: Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Date of Publication: 2014
Age Range: The Sensory Profile 2 is designed for children from birth through 14 years of age.
Measures: The Sensory Profile 2 measures sensory processing.
Administration time: Administration time for the Sensory Profile 2 is 5-20 minutes.
Purchase: Sensory Profile 2
References and Further Reading:
Sensory Profile 2. (n.d.). Retrieved November 06, 2020, from https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Motor-Sensory/Sensory-Profile-2/p/100000822.html
Test of Handwriting Skills, revised:
A measure of handwriting skills.
Author: Michael Milone
Date of Publication: 2007
Age Range: The Test of Handwriting Skills, revised, is designed for children ages 6 through 18 years.
Measures: The Test of Handwriting Skills, revised, is a measure of handwriting skills.
Administration time: Administration time for the Test of Handwriting Skills, revised, is 25 minutes.
Purchase: Test of Handwriting Skills, Revised
References and Further Reading:
(THS-R) Test of Handwriting Skills, Revised. (n.d.). Retrieved November 06, 2020, from https://www.wpspublish.com/ths-r-test-of-handwriting-skills-revised
More References and Further Reading: