You've searched "OT near me" and found a dozen clinics, sensory gyms, and home-visit therapists, all advertising confidently, with no obvious way to tell a genuinely good fit from a mediocre one. That's a reasonable place to feel stuck - this is a decision involving your child, your time, and a real commitment, and it deserves better than a coin toss. Here's how to actually evaluate it, wherever you end up booking.
Start with qualifications
Look for a recognised degree in occupational therapy - a Bachelor's (B.O.T.) or Master's (M.O.T.) from a recognised institution. Ask directly; a therapist confident in their training will answer plainly and without hesitation. For a child specifically, it's worth asking whether they have particular training or specialisation in paediatrics. Adult occupational therapy (stroke rehabilitation, hand injuries, and similar) and paediatric occupational therapy are genuinely different fields, and experience in one doesn't automatically carry over to the other.
Ask about their experience with your specific concern
A therapist who mostly works with sensory processing differences may not be the strongest fit for a handwriting-only concern, and the reverse is also true. It's entirely fair to ask: "How much of your caseload is children with [autism / ADHD / handwriting difficulty / whatever applies to your child]?" A specific, confident answer is a good sign. Vague reassurance without detail is worth noticing.
Ask what the assessment involves, before you commit
A proper OT assessment is a genuine evaluation: observing your child, a real conversation with you about concerns and daily routines, and a plan built from what's actually found - not a sales conversation that jumps straight to a long-term package. If a place can't clearly describe what their assessment covers when you ask, that's worth noticing too. Our first assessment page is a reasonable example of what this should look like, wherever you eventually book.
Questions worth asking before you book
- What is your qualification, and do you specialise in paediatric OT specifically?
- What will the first assessment actually involve?
- How will goals be set, and how will I know if we're making progress?
- Will you communicate with our other providers - school, speech therapist, paediatrician - if needed?
- What does a typical session look like for a child with my child's concerns?
- When will I know what this will cost? (Pricing should be shared clearly before you commit to anything - a therapist who's vague about this is worth a second look.)
Red flags worth noticing
- Guarantees of a "cure" or a fixed timeline for a specific outcome - no responsible therapist can honestly promise this.
- Pressure to sign and pay for a long package before any assessment has taken place.
- Reluctance to explain qualifications, or what a session will actually involve, when asked directly.
- A one-size-fits-all programme that doesn't visibly change based on your child's own assessment.
A note on credentials, for what it's worth
Dr. Charu Arora, who leads this practice, holds an M.O.T. in Pediatrics and works as a Special Educational Needs Consultant. If you're curious what that actually means in plain terms, we've explained it here - it's worth reading regardless of where you end up booking. But the honest advice stands either way: ask the questions above of any therapist you're considering, here or anywhere else. A good one will welcome them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a more expensive clinic automatically a better one?
Not necessarily. Cost doesn't reliably correlate with fit - qualifications, genuine paediatric experience, and clear communication matter more than the price point. Ask for pricing clearly upfront, and expect it before you're asked to commit.
Should I choose based on online reviews alone?
Reviews can be one data point, but a direct conversation and a clearly explained assessment process will tell you more about fit than a star rating.
Do I need a doctor's referral before I can book an OT assessment?
Generally, no. Most OT practices, including ours, accept direct bookings from parents based on their own observations.
