What to Expect at Your Child’s First Evaluation at SPACE Therapy & Gym
Starting therapy can feel like a big step—for both you and your child. At SPACE Therapy & Gym, we want your first visit to feel welcoming, supportive, and as stress-free as possible.
Here’s a look at what you can expect during your child’s first evaluation.
Before Your Evaluation: Check-In & Paperwork
When you arrive, our intake coordinator will greet you and help you complete any remaining paperwork. If possible, please arrive a little early so you have plenty of time to get settled before your appointment.
Once you’re checked in, your therapist will meet you in the waiting room and bring you to the therapy room for your evaluation. Everyone will remove their shoes before entering the therapy space.
Getting to Know Your Child
Your therapist may use helpful visuals to show your child what to expect during your time together. We’ll also take your child’s interests into account, bringing in fun toys and activities to help them feel comfortable and engaged.
While your child plays and explores, your therapist will talk with you about your concerns, your child’s history, and what brought you to SPACE. This caregiver interview gives us important insight into your child’s everyday strengths and challenges.
How We Assess Developmental Skills
Your therapist will most likely use standardized assessments to gather information about your child’s developmental skills. Depending on the type of evaluation, these may involve activities completed directly with your child, questionnaires for caregivers, or a combination of both.
Our goal is to gather a well-rounded picture of your child—not just a score or a test result.
What to Expect During a Speech or Feeding Evaluation
For a speech or feeding evaluation, your therapist may look inside your child’s mouth to learn more about their oral structures, strength, and coordination.
For feeding assessments, we’ll also explore foods with your child. If you’ve been asked to bring specific foods, please bring them along so we can observe your child’s feeding skills with familiar foods.
What to Expect During a Physical Therapy Evaluation
For physical therapy evaluations, we may take advantage of our large gym space to assess skills such as stair climbing, balance, coordination, and other gross motor abilities.
And if time allows, your child may even get a few minutes to enjoy the gym at the end of the evaluation! Please keep in mind that gym time isn’t guaranteed, as the focus of the visit is completing the evaluation.
Wrapping Up Your Visit
Before you leave, your therapist will review the next steps in the evaluation process and discuss their recommendations with you.
Then, on your way out, our front desk team will help you set up an ongoing therapy schedule and take care of any remaining paperwork or items.
We’re Here to Make the Process Easier
Your child’s first evaluation is an opportunity for us to learn, connect, and begin understanding how we can best support your family. We’re excited to welcome you into SPACE Therapy & Gym and look forward to seeing you soon!
Welcome to SPACE—we’re so glad you’re here! 💙
Physical Therapy