Adolescent Evaluation

FOCUS for Mealtime Success offers the highest quality evaluation and treatment for adolescents with feeding and mealtime challenges. There are a few different types of evaluations that are offered through FOCUS. Our intake coordinator will be happy to discuss with you which evaluation will best meet your needs. Wondering if your adolescent would benefit from support in this area? Click here to find out.

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Comprehensive Evaluation

Most clients require a full, comprehensive evaluation in order to begin occupational therapy services. Our comprehensive evaluation requires 12 hours of therapist time. This evaluation will give a complete picture of the client’s sensory processing and motor needs, including how these contribute to eating and mealtime challenges. The comprehensive FOCUS Evaluation includes 2 1/2 to 4 hours of direct assessment, a comprehensive detailed written report, and an evaluation feedback meeting. The assessment tools used for this evaluation vary,but may include the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT), the OTA-Watertown Sensory Modulation and Discrimination Evaluation, the OTA Oral Motor Screening, or various other assessment tools.

Specialty FOCUS Oral Motor Evaluation

The FOCUS Oral Motor Evaluation is a specialized developmental evaluation that assesses in detail the sensory and motor foundational skills related to mealtime and eating performance. This evaluation is recommended if a family has primary concerns around eating/feeding with some potential mild concerns related to overall sensory processing and overall motor development. Specific information regarding the adolescent’s oral motor abilities – including oral structure coordination and strength, chewing and drinking patterns, patterns of food selectivity, and other factors that impact eating performance – will be thoroughly assessed as part of this focused evaluation. The FOCUS Oral Motor Evaluation includes 2 hours of direct assessment, a detailed written report, and an evaluation feedback meeting. The assessment tools used for this evaluation vary depending on the child’s age, abilities, and needs but can include the FOCUS Oral Motor Assessment, portions of sensory assessments such as the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT), the OTA-Watertown Sensory Modulation and Discrimination Evaluation, or various other assessment tools.

Insurance Evaluation

Clients whose evaluation is covered by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC) insurance plans are eligible for our abridged evaluation to assess oral motor and feeding skills. This evaluation requires 45 minutes to 1 hour of assessment and includes a brief two-page written report. An evaluation feedback/goal-setting meeting is strongly encouraged but not covered by this insurance plan and must be paid for out-of-pocket, if desired. This evaluation is not comprehensive but is sufficient to determine eligibility for occupational therapy services.

Screening

In rare instances, an occupational therapy screening for eating and mealtime skills may be appropriate. This screening is most often used when clients are receiving other services at OTA The Koomar Center, such as speech therapy, and believe there may be other sensory-based components that are impacting their feeding skills. At times, it can be unclear from an initial intake if a client has sensory integration difficulties and a screening may be recommended as a first step before starting a comprehensive evaluation. A comprehensive evaluation may be recommended if indicated by the screening. This screening consists of one hour of assessment and a feedback checklist is provided at the end of the screening.

Adolescent Treatment

Individual therapy works to address the foundational areas required for successful eating. Occupational therapists at FOCUS for Mealtime Success have specialized training and utilize the FOCUS Program, a whole-body, systematic approach developed to address the complex and multifaceted needs of clients who experience challenges around mealtime. Eating is a complex and multisystem skill, so FOCUS practitioners believe it is not helpful to target treatments solely on the individual’s mouth, but to consider the individual’s whole body and all environmental, contextual, physical, and psychological factors as part of a collaborative and systematic approach to treatment. Each therapeutic treatment program is based on the individual needs of the client and is tailored to meet the individual’s unique goals. A combination of whole-body work and targeted oral motor skill work is included throughout the course of treatment. Treatment goals may include strengthening the postural muscles necessary for eating, increasing strength and control of different oral structures necessary for eating, decreasing oral sensitivities, and working towards exploration with food to expand food repertoire. In addition to these specific goal areas, other areas addressed on an ongoing basis include environmental set-up, food preparation skills, and promoting organization and regulation during mealtime.