Occupational Therapist Test Pediatric OT 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A school-based OT is asked to evaluate a 6-year-old for suspected developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Which characteristic is MOST consistent with DCD?
- Spastic muscle tone affecting all four limbs
- Difficulty learning new motor skills despite adequate intelligence and opportunity (Correct answer)
- Regression in previously acquired motor milestones
- Involuntary movements that disappear during sleep
Correct answer: Difficulty learning new motor skills despite adequate intelligence and opportunity
DCD is characterized by marked difficulty acquiring and executing coordinated motor skills that is not explained by intellectual disability or neurological conditions.
Question 2: When applying the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) to a pediatric client, which component addresses the child's belief in their own ability to perform tasks?
- Habituation
- Performance capacity
- Personal causation (volition) (Correct answer)
- Environmental impact
Correct answer: Personal causation (volition)
Personal causation within the volition component of MOHO refers to a person's sense of efficacy and belief in their ability to influence outcomes through action.
Question 3: A 10-month-old infant is not yet transferring objects from hand to hand. Which developmental concern does this MOST raise?
- Delayed fine motor development (Correct answer)
- Delayed gross motor development
- Delayed language development
- Delayed social-emotional development
Correct answer: Delayed fine motor development
Hand-to-hand transfer typically develops around 6–7 months; absence at 10 months suggests fine motor delay warranting further evaluation.
Question 4: An OT is working with a child with sensory processing disorder who seeks intense proprioceptive input. Which activity provides the MOST appropriate proprioceptive input?
- Watching a spinning visual toy
- Listening to rhythmic music
- Carrying a weighted backpack or pushing a loaded cart (Correct answer)
- Touching various fabric textures
Correct answer: Carrying a weighted backpack or pushing a loaded cart
Carrying weight or pushing resistance provides deep proprioceptive input to joints and muscles, meeting the needs of a sensory seeker.
Question 5: Which law mandates that children with disabilities ages 3–21 receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and entitles school-based OT as a related service?
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Correct answer)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Early Intervention Program under Part C of IDEA
Correct answer: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA Part B mandates FAPE for children ages 3–21 with disabilities, and OT is listed as a related service when needed to benefit from special education.
Question 6: A therapist is using a top-down assessment approach with a 5-year-old. What does this approach prioritize FIRST?
- Measuring underlying sensory and motor impairments
- Identifying participation restrictions in meaningful occupations and roles (Correct answer)
- Administering standardized fine motor batteries
- Assessing muscle tone and reflexes
Correct answer: Identifying participation restrictions in meaningful occupations and roles
A top-down approach begins with the child's occupational performance and participation, then identifies underlying factors that support or hinder those occupations.
Question 7: A 7-year-old with ADHD has difficulty transitioning between classroom activities. Which OT strategy BEST supports successful transitions?
- Providing a verbal warning 1 minute before transition with a visual timer (Correct answer)
- Removing the child from the activity immediately when time is up
- Allowing the child to stay with preferred tasks indefinitely
- Increasing the number of daily transitions to build tolerance
Correct answer: Providing a verbal warning 1 minute before transition with a visual timer
A brief verbal and visual warning before transitions helps children with ADHD mentally prepare, reducing anxiety and behavioral dysregulation.
Occupational Therapist Test Pediatric OT 3
A school-based OT is asked to evaluate a 6-year-old for suspected developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
Which characteristic is MOST consistent with DCD?