Occupational therapy – how to assess PDA children

Occupational Therapy – How to Assess PDA Children

A PDA Society podcast episode with Faith Newton, Highly Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist.

Occupational therapy assessments can be invaluable for understanding and supporting a PDA child – but traditional assessment approaches don’t always capture a child’s true strengths, needs or abilities.

In this practical and insightful podcast episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Faith Newton, Highly Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist, director of ND Kids Occupational Therapy and Consulting, author, and parent of two PDA children.

Together, they explore how occupational therapists can adapt their practice to better meet the needs of PDA children, while also offering invaluable guidance for parents preparing their child for an assessment.

Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, Faith shares practical strategies for creating low-demand, child-led assessments that reduce anxiety, build trust and provide a more accurate understanding of a child’s needs.

In this episode you will discover:

• How parents can prepare their child for an occupational therapy assessment

• Ways occupational therapists can create safer, lower-demand assessment experiences

• Why flexibility and relationship-building are more important than completing a standard assessment

• Practical strategies for reducing anxiety before, during and after appointments

• Creative alternatives when a child is unable or unwilling to engage directly

• How to recognise masking, shutdowns and demand avoidance during assessments

• Adapting assessments in clinics, schools, homes and online settings

• How to gather meaningful information without increasing pressure on the child

• The importance of working collaboratively with parents and valuing their expertise

• Why neuro-affirming, strengths-based practice leads to better outcomes for PDA children

For many PDA families, appointments with professionals can be a significant source of stress and anxiety. Likewise, occupational therapists often want to provide meaningful support but may feel constrained by traditional assessment methods or limited appointment times.

This episode offers practical, compassionate solutions that help bridge that gap.

Faith shares a wealth of real-life examples, demonstrating how small changes in communication, environment and expectations can make assessments feel safer, more collaborative and ultimately more successful for everyone involved.

Guest links

Guest website: http://www.ndkids.co.uk/

Book: ‘Inclusive PE for SEND Children’ with chapters on PDA, sensory needs and emotional regulation can be found on Amazon

Further sources of support & information

More podcasts available on the PDA Society Training Hub:
https://training.pdasociety.org.uk/pda-podcasts/

PDA Society Training:
https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/training/

PDA Society Support Service: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/support/

You can find our Facebook support groups here 

DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the PDA Society.

While we aim to provide balanced and inclusive discussions, individual experiences and perspectives may vary. The PDA Society is committed to using language and terminology that reflects the preferences of PDA and autistic people, but sometimes our guests may use language and terminology which differs.

Appearance on our podcast is not an endorsement of an individual, and not all of our guests will align with our position on the issues discussed.