How do occupational therapists assess a person’s daily activity challenges?

Occupational therapists assess a person’s daily activity challenges by establishing a partnership with the individual to identify which tasks are most meaningful yet difficult to perform. Because an individual's ability to function is dynamic, therapists analyze the complex relationships between the person’s skills, the specific demands of the task, and the environment in which it occurs.12

To determine why a person cannot perform specific activities, therapists examine factors within three key areas:
* The Person: Evaluating the individual's motivations, knowledge, skills, and physical or mental abilities.12
* The Activity: Analyzing the specific requirements and demands of the task itself.12
* The Environment: Assessing the setting to identify physical, attitudinal, or policy barriers that may hinder participation.12

Therapists may also use standardized evaluation tools, such as the Katz Index of Independence or the Lawton IADL scale, to detect changes in health and predict the level of assistance a person might require. Once the challenges are identified, the therapist and patient develop a plan to improve performance by building skills, adapting the activity, or modifying the environment.312