You don't need to understand the diagnosis.
You need to understand what Monday morning looks like now.
Honest answers to the questions families, patients, and referrers actually ask — about what occupational therapy is, what it costs, and what it gives back.
What to expect before you arrive.
Most people arrive at their first OT appointment unsure what they've signed up for. That uncertainty is normal. These answers cover the practical questions — insurance, referrals, timing — so you can walk in with one less thing to worry about.
The only thing we ask you to bring is honesty about what you're struggling with.
An OT helps you do the everyday things that matter to you — getting dressed, making breakfast, driving, working, playing with your kids. We focus on the tasks of daily life, not just the injury or diagnosis. If a stroke has changed how you hold a fork, or a wrist injury means you can't type, we figure out how to get you back to that, step by step.
In most cases, no referral is required for an initial consultation. Some insurance plans do require one for covered sessions — we'll check your specific plan before your first appointment and let you know exactly what's needed. Either way, a free 15-minute call with us is always referral-free.
Bring whatever helps you tell your story clearly. That usually means:
- —Your insurance card and a photo ID
- —Any relevant medical records, imaging reports, or referral letters
- —A list of current medications
- —A note about the activities you most want to get back to
You can also download our New Patient Checklist at the bottom of this page — it covers everything in a single printable sheet.
Most major insurance plans — including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers — cover OT when it's medically necessary. Coverage varies by plan and diagnosis, so we always verify your benefits before your first billable session. We'll tell you your estimated out-of-pocket cost upfront, with no surprises at checkout. Sliding-scale fees are available for uninsured patients.
It depends entirely on your goals. Some people need 4–6 focused sessions to address a specific skill — like adapting a kitchen for one-handed cooking. Others work with us over several months on complex recovery after a stroke or surgery. At your evaluation, we'll give you a realistic timeline based on your situation, not a generic package.
Will my insurance cover hand therapy? I can't afford to find out after the fact.
— Concern shared by a post-surgical patient, Portland ORI just want someone to tell me what Monday morning looks like now — not what the diagnosis means.
— Caregiver of a stroke survivor, six weeks post-dischargeMy son's teacher said 'sensory processing.' I didn't know what that meant for his life.
— Parent of a 7-year-old, referred after kindergarten screeningUnderstanding your child's evaluation.
Navigating a pediatric OT referral is disorienting. You're being asked to assess your child's development while managing your own worry about what the results might mean.
These answers are written for parents who want to understand — not just be told — what's happening and why.
Teachers often notice things like difficulty holding a pencil, trouble sitting still, or sensitivity to textures that affect learning. A recommendation for OT doesn't mean something is "wrong" with your child — it means a professional noticed a pattern worth understanding. An evaluation helps us figure out what's going on and whether OT would help.
We spend about 60–90 minutes with your child in a play-based setting. We observe how they move, process sensory information, handle fine motor tasks, and interact. It doesn't feel like a test to the child — it looks like structured play. Afterward, we sit with you and walk through exactly what we observed and what it means in plain language.
Sensory processing is how the brain takes in and makes sense of information from the body and environment. When it's disrupted, children might be overwhelmed by sounds, textures, or movement — or they might seek out intense sensory input constantly. Signs worth noting include:
- —Meltdowns triggered by clothing tags, certain foods, or loud environments
- —Unusual clumsiness or difficulty with coordination
- —Avoidance of messy play or strong preference for it
- —Difficulty transitioning between activities
Yes — and for many young children, your presence is part of the therapy. We'll teach you strategies to use at home, because the 45 minutes a week with us matters far less than what happens the other 167 hours. You're a partner in this, not a bystander.
A developmental pediatrician focuses on diagnosis — identifying whether a condition like ADHD, autism, or a developmental delay is present. An OT evaluation focuses on function — specifically, how that condition (or suspected condition) affects what your child can do day to day and what we can do about it. The two often complement each other, and we're experienced in collaborating with pediatric medical teams.
Getting back to the job.
Workplace injury claims sit at the intersection of medicine, employment law, and insurance — and OT sits right in the middle of all three. These answers address the questions claimants, case managers, and employers most often ask us.
Clarity here protects everyone.
An FCE is a structured assessment — typically lasting 3–6 hours — that measures your physical ability to perform work tasks: lifting, carrying, sitting, standing, reaching. Case managers and employers use the results to determine safe return-to-work conditions. If your insurer, employer, or attorney has requested one, we conduct them here in a standardized, defensible format.
Medical clearance and functional readiness are different things. A doctor may clear you from a medical standpoint while you're still struggling with the specific demands of your role — the sustained keyboard use, the overhead reaching, the uneven terrain. OT bridges that gap with targeted work hardening and job-specific rehabilitation.
We offer worksite assessments where an OT visits your workplace (or reviews photos and video remotely) to identify specific modifications — chair height, monitor position, tool grip, floor surface. We then provide a written report your employer can act on. Many modifications cost nothing; others qualify for employer tax incentives.
We're experienced in providing clear, legally defensible functional reports for case managers, insurers, and legal teams. Reports include objective test results, observed performance, and specific recommendations written in plain language. Turnaround is typically 5–7 business days after the assessment.
It's a fair concern, and we hear it often. Our role is to give an accurate picture of what you can and cannot do — nothing more, nothing less. We don't advocate for any particular outcome. What we can tell you is that early, documented OT participation often strengthens a claimant's position by demonstrating good-faith effort toward recovery.
Book a Free
15-Minute Call.
No referral needed. No intake paperwork before we talk. Just a conversation about where you are and whether Equip is the right fit — for you or the person you're calling for.
Call (555) 123-4567Or email hello@equipot.com
Download the New Patient Checklist
A one-page printable that tells you exactly what to bring, what to expect, and what questions to ask at your first appointment.