Pediatric OT evaluation in West Los Angeles, a visit that looks like play
A school visit needs your written consent along with the school's agreement. At home or on a video call, the therapist plays with your child.
Birth to 18
Home, video, school (the school's agreement and your written consent are both required), or, in Westlake Village, a private office if you request one
Three business days at most
Someone may have said the words occupational therapy (OT) to you. Or you may have spotted something yourself. It may have stayed with you. A pediatric OT evaluation in West Los Angeles is a visit where a child plays. A licensed occupational therapist watches how that child moves, takes in sounds and textures, and manages the tasks of a day. No diagnosis or referral is needed.
During a pediatric OT evaluation in West Los Angeles, what does the therapist look at?
Your child's age and your own worries decide where the therapist looks. The visit can touch on fine motor skills, sensory processing, balance, and self-care.
A conversation with you opens the visit, and play with your child follows. Tests chosen for your child's age, which may include the BOT-3, are folded into the games.
Rachel Yashouafar, MA, OTR/L, is a founder here, and she leads each OT evaluation. A longer walk through a visit is on our OT evaluation page. If therapy follows, occupational therapy in West Los Angeles explains the sessions.
Questions about how your child plays and moves?
A licensed therapist and our team read your note, and our team answers within one business day. Write down what you have seen at home or at school.
Two places to start: your home, or a video call. For a school visit, both the school's agreement and your written consent are required. A private office in Westlake Village is there if you ask for it.
Do we have to go anywhere, and how soon could we start?
No. We visit homes in West Los Angeles, and a video call works too.
If you would like the visit at your child's public or private school, two things are needed: your written consent and the school's agreement. Meeting in person at a private office is possible too: ask about the one on Townsgate Road in Westlake Village.
Three business days is the longest you wait between the free call and the evaluation. As of October 2026, our therapy at home and by telehealth has no waiting list. Tell us what worries you: book a free 15-minute consultation.
Is a toddler too young for this, and will I be with my child?
Not at all. Evaluations are open from birth to 18, and if your child is under 3, you are with your child for the entire evaluation.
The evaluation runs about 60 to 90 minutes. A child's age, the number of areas looked at, and how the child is doing that day all shape the length. A toddler may do it in short bursts, with pauses between them.
Older children usually do the activities with the therapist in a different room. When a child is having a hard day, a second try is set for a different time. Making a child feel they are doing something wrong is never the aim.
Which camps, sports, and play areas do city pages list for Stoner and Cheviot Hills?
The City of Los Angeles page for Stoner Recreation Center describes a summer Pee Wee Camp. It is for ages 3 to 4 years and 11 months.
The same page lists Day Camp for ages 5 to 15 during winter, spring, and summer breaks. It says youth sports leagues are available for ages 5 to 15 if all age requirements are met. They can include baseball (T-Ball and Coach Pitch).
The city lists Stoner among its Universally Accessible Playgrounds, which it describes as playgrounds for children of all abilities to play side-by-side. The city's page for Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, which names West Los Angeles as its Neighborhood Service Area, lists a Children's Play Area. What you notice at camp, in a league, or on a playground counts alongside what the therapist measures.
What do school and library pages say about movement and making things?
Nora Sterry Elementary's School Activities page says its Yoga room offers mind-body awareness, self-regulation and physical fitness. Overland Avenue Elementary's Fitness page says students, teachers and staff begin every morning with 15 minutes of group exercise to music.
Overland's page adds that students take part by grade level in a program the school calls School Sports once a week. An OT evaluation can look at how a child stays settled during routines and transitions.
In October 2026, the city's public library listed a Trash Art Party for All Ages at its West Los Angeles branch on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
What will the report tell us, and when does it arrive?
Fourteen business days is the most you will wait for the written report after the evaluation. Only when therapy is recommended does a therapy plan come with the report.
Everyday words fill the report. Inside, you find what your child does well and a specific recommendation.
A plan for therapy sets graduation goals, meaning the skills that point to a child being ready to finish therapy.
Does insurance work for this, or do we pay on our own?
Village is the way to use insurance for the evaluation, a clinical service. What the plan covers depends on the plan.
With Village, your share has two parts: the copay or deductible your plan sets, and Village's own fee for each visit. Village bills the plan and accepts PPO plans sold by several major insurers, along with TRICARE.
Paying privately is another path: you get a superbill, and your plan decides whether any of the cost is reimbursed. Before you decide anything, we go over your coverage with you. For cost questions, book a free 15-minute call.
A few things parents ask before reaching out
Can we book without a referral from our pediatrician?
Yes. Neither a referral nor a diagnosis is needed to begin. You can start with a free 15-minute call.
Would you tell me if therapy is not needed?
Yes, and we would also tell you what is worth watching.
How soon will someone answer my message?
A licensed therapist reads every message. An answer reaches you within one business day.
Nearby, we have OT evaluation pages for Westwood and Palms. If speech or language is also on your mind, our West Los Angeles page covers both services.
Not sure if your child needs therapy?
Start with a free 15 minute consultation. No commitment, just clarity on whether your child would benefit and what the next step looks like.
Speech therapy and occupational therapy for children ages 0 to 18.
“During their first year, babies start to develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives.”
MedlinePlus says this about babies in their first year.
Asking about your child's everyday skills is a thoughtful thing to do, and it is reason enough to call.
Request your free 15-minute consultation
Tell us what you are noticing about your child. A licensed therapist and our team read every message. Within one business day, our team calls to learn what you need and check insurance, then sets up a free call with Nita, Rachel or both. The consultation is free, lasts about 15 minutes, and carries no obligation. There is no waiting list. If you would rather talk now, call (805) 702-3427.
A licensed therapist and our team read your note, and our team answers within one business day. Write down what you have seen at home or at school.
