Our Services

Initial Evaluations

An initial pediatric therapy evaluation (occupational or speech-language) typically lasts 60 minutes in person and includes the following components:

  1. Parent/Caregiver Interview (15–20 minutes):
    The therapist gathers information about the child’s medical history, developmental milestones, communication or motor skills, family concerns, and any specific challenges the child is experiencing at home, school, or during daily activities.

  2. Observation (20–25 minutes):
    The therapist observes the child’s behavior, play, interaction style, motor or communication skills, sensory responses, and participation in structured and unstructured activities to assess overall functional performance.

  3. Standardized Assessments (15–20 minutes):
    The therapist may administer formal or informal assessments to measure the child’s developmental and functional abilities. Depending on the discipline, this may include speech and language skills, social communication, feeding, fine or gross motor coordination, sensory processing, or self-care abilities.

  4. Feedback and Plan (5–10 minutes):
    At the end of the evaluation, the therapist provides an overview of initial findings, discusses any concerns, and outlines recommendations for therapy goals and potential intervention strategies. A follow-up plan is reviewed with the family.

After the in-person evaluation, the therapist interprets the results and prepares a detailed written report. A follow-up phone call is included to review the report, answer questions, and discuss next steps for therapy.

This comprehensive evaluation helps the therapist understand the child’s strengths and areas for growth, forming the foundation for an individualized treatment plan.

Re-Evaluations

A re-evaluation typically lasts 60 minutes and is completed at least annually or as needed. Its purpose is to assess the child’s progress, update goals, and determine the need for continued therapy. The process includes:

  1. Parent/Caregiver Interview (10–15 minutes):
    The therapist meets with the parent or caregiver to discuss any changes in the child’s needs, concerns, or progress since the last evaluation. Caregivers may share updates about the child’s performance at home, school, and in daily activities.

  2. Reassessment of Functional Skills (30–40 minutes):
    The therapist observes the child during a variety of tasks and may use standardized or informal assessments to evaluate their current abilities. Depending on the discipline, this may include communication and language skills, speech sound production, social communication, motor skills, sensory processing, feeding, or daily living abilities. Current performance is compared with previous results to identify progress and areas that may require continued support.

  3. Goal Review and Adjustment (10–15 minutes):
    The therapist reviews the child’s previous goals, evaluates progress toward meeting them, and discusses next steps. New goals may be created based on the child’s development, ongoing challenges, and evolving needs.

  4. Feedback and Plan (5–10 minutes):
    At the end of the session, the therapist provides a summary of findings, explains any updates to the therapy plan, and offers strategies to support the child at home or in other settings. Adjustments to treatment approaches or session frequency may be made if needed.

This re-evaluation process ensures that therapy remains aligned with the child’s current strengths, challenges, and developmental needs, promoting continued growth and meaningful progress.

Therapy Sessions

A typical pediatric therapy session (occupational or speech-language) lasts 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the child’s needs and goals. The session may include the following components:

  1. Warm-Up/Check-In (5–10 minutes):
    The therapist greets the child, checks in on how they’re feeling, and briefly reviews any activities or home practice from the previous session. When appropriate, this time may also include a short discussion with the parent to ensure alignment on the session’s focus and the child’s current needs.

  2. Therapeutic Activities (20–50 minutes):
    The therapist engages the child in developmentally appropriate, goal-focused activities tailored to their individual plan. Depending on the discipline and the child’s needs, activities may target communication and language skills, social interaction, speech sound production, sensory processing, fine or gross motor abilities, feeding, or daily living skills. The therapist provides guidance, models strategies, and adjusts the difficulty level as needed to promote progress and confidence.

  3. Cool-Down/Review (5–10 minutes):
    The session ends with a calming or organizing activity—such as deep breathing, a quiet game, or a simple conversation—to help the child transition smoothly. The therapist reviews the child’s engagement and successes during the session and may briefly preview upcoming goals.

  4. Parent Education (5–10 minutes):
    Toward the end of the session, the therapist meets with the parent or caregiver to explain the activities completed, discuss the child’s progress, and highlight how each activity supports the child’s goals. The therapist may provide home strategies, carryover activities, or tips for managing specific challenges (e.g., communication breakdowns, sensory sensitivities, difficulties with routines). This ensures families feel supported and equipped to reinforce skills outside of the therapy setting.

Coaching Sessions

A coaching session is a collaborative service designed to support the carryover of therapeutic strategies and provide comprehensive guidance to the child, family, and other key individuals involved in the child’s daily life. This service is available to families already established with our practice (i.e., those who have completed an initial evaluation and at least five individual therapy sessions). Coaching sessions may take place in person, via phone call, or virtually, depending on the family’s needs and preferences. Sessions typically last 30–60 minutes and include the following components:

  1. Parent, School, and Caregiver Input (10–15 minutes):
    The therapist gathers insights from parents, teachers, and caregivers regarding the child’s current strengths, challenges, and progress across environments such as home, school, and the community. This may include reviewing concerns related to communication, self-regulation, sensory processing, motor skills, social interaction, or daily routines.

  2. Review of Therapy Goals and Strategies (10–15 minutes):
    The therapist reviews the child’s current therapy goals and explains the strategies being used during treatment. Practical suggestions are offered to help integrate these strategies into everyday activities. Depending on the child’s needs, this may include techniques for supporting communication, attention, social engagement, self-care, emotional regulation, or classroom participation.

  3. Guidance and Recommendations for Carryover (15–20 minutes):
    The therapist collaborates with caregivers to develop actionable, easy-to-implement strategies that can be used consistently at home, school, and other settings. Recommendations may include adjustments to routines, sensory or motor-based activities, communication supports, or tools such as visual schedules, fidgets, or structured prompts to promote success throughout the day.

  4. Collaborative Discussion (5–10 minutes):
    The session concludes with a group discussion involving the therapist, caregivers, and any other participating individuals (e.g., teachers or school staff). Everyone reviews the updated recommendations to ensure shared understanding and consistency across environments. The therapist answers questions, clarifies suggestions, and provides additional resources or follow-up steps as needed.

Consultation Phone Call

Bloom Therapy Collective offers a FREE 15-minute phone consultation to help you determine if our services are the right fit for your needs. During this brief call, you’ll have the chance to discuss your concerns and ask questions, allowing us to understand your goals and explain how our therapy approach can support you. This no-pressure conversation is a great first step before committing to a full initial evaluation.