What’s the Difference Between an OT and Neuropsychological Assessment?
If your child recently completed an occupational therapy (OT) assessment, you might be wondering: Do we also need a neuropsychological evaluation? Or what’s the difference between OT and neuropsychological assessment anyway?
This is a question we hear often in our pediatric neuropsychology practice. And it makes sense, when you’re managing multiple evaluations and specialists, it’s important to know whether another assessment will add value or just feel redundant.
The short answer? OT and psychological assessments are not the same, and they’re not redundant—but they do work together to give you a fuller picture of your child’s development.
Understanding the Difference Between OT and Psychological Assessments
An OT assessment looks at your child’s ability to manage daily activities, routines, and sensory experiences. It often evaluates:
Fine and gross motor skills (e.g., handwriting, coordination)
Sensory processing (e.g., sensitivity to sound or touch)
Visual-motor integration
Independence in daily tasks like dressing or feeding
How these factors affect school, home, and play
A psychological or neuropsychological assessment, on the other hand, focuses on your child’s thinking, learning, behavior, and emotional well-being. It typically includes:
Cognitive abilities (e.g., attention, memory, processing speed)
Learning differences or developmental delays
Emotional or behavioral concerns (e.g., anxiety, mood swings)
Social functioning and peer interactions
Diagnostic clarification (e.g., ADHD, autism, learning disabilities)
In short: OT evaluations look at how your child functions, while psychological testing looks at why they may be struggling.
Are Psychological and OT Evaluations Redundant?
There may be some overlap in observations. For example, both evaluations might note challenges with focus or task persistence, but the tools, goals, and outcomes are very different.
An OT might recommend sensory supports or fine motor interventions.
A psychologist might help identify ADHD, anxiety, or a learning disorder.
Together, the assessments help form a well-rounded understanding of your child’s needs.
If you're pursuing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), seeking a diagnosis, or looking to understand how your child learns and why they may struggle, a psychological or neuropsychological evaluation provides critical information that an OT assessment alone can't capture.
Not Sure If You Need a Psychological Evaluation?
We always want this process to feel useful, not overwhelming. If you're unsure whether your child needs a pediatric psychological evaluation, we're happy to review your OT results and talk through what additional questions remain.
Interested in learning more or booking an evaluation?
Contact us here — we’re here to help you get the answers your family needs.