McNamee Frame Services

Occupational Therapists

Our comprehensive assessments involve a detailed evaluation of an individual’s ability to participate in activities of daily living, employment and recreational activities as well as their need for care, equipment, environmental modifications and treatment. 

MEDICO-LEGAL

Occupational Therapy Assessment Process

Our assessments typically consist of:

  1. A thorough review of the medical records and legal documents provided
  2. A detailed interview with the claimant and/or significant others to obtain information such as:
  3. the history of their injury/illness and the background of their claim
  4. Their current and past symptoms
  5. Their pre and post-incident participation in activities of daily living, work and recreational pursuits
  6. The functional demands of their past and/or current job role
  7.  The impact of the subject incident on their function and participation in their pre-incident life roles.
  8. Direct observation of the individual’s performance of relevant activities
  9. Standardised assessments, formal and informal observations
  10. Appraisal of the individual’s performance inclusive of physical, cognitive and psychosocial factors. 
A woman is sitting on a couch talking to a man.

MEDICO-LEGAL

Occupational Therapy Assessment Services

Depending on the claimant’s specific situation, each comprehensive assessment may include one or more of the following:

Two women are standing in a kitchen holding a wooden box.

MEDICO-LEGAL

Employability Assessments

An employability assessment is  used to measure a person’s ability to perform a series of tasks relevant to the work tasks they are currently required to perform, have performed in the past or may perform in the future. The test is usually physical in nature but may also include consideration of a person’s ability to perform the cognitive and psychological aspects of the job.


The types of activities carried out during the assessment vary depending on the individual’s particular circumstances but may include:

  • Range of motion testing
  • Strength tests e.g. manual muscle testing,  lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, hand grip and pinch strength
  • Endurance tests e.g. for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, use of ladders/stairs. 
  • Postural tolerance tests (sitting, standing, squatting, kneeling, bending and reaching) 
  • Dynamic tolerance tests (e.g. repetitive squatting, balance). 
  • Review and evaluation of the work demands either via interview and review of the documentation provided, or direct observation of the workplace. 
  • Cognitive and psychological screening

MEDICO-LEGAL

Activities of Daily Living Assessments

These assessments are used to determine an individual’s ability to perform essential day-to-day tasks that are necessary for independent living.


These tasks are often categorised into two distinct groups:


1. Personal Activities of Daily Living (PADL): These include tasks such as: 

  • Bathing or showering
  • Dressing
  • Personal hygiene/grooming
  • Eating and drinking
  • Toileting
  • Bladder and Bowel Control
  • Transfers and general mobility


2. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: These are the more complex tasks required for living independently and include tasks such as:

  • Household chores e.g. cleaning, laundry, gardening and home maintenance
  • Driving and using public transport
  • Shopping
  • Preparing Meals 
  • Managing Medications
  • Managing personal finances
Two women are standing in a kitchen looking into a cabinet.
A woman is cleaning the floor with a vacuum cleaner while an occupational therapist asses her ability.

MEDICO-LEGAL

Care needs Assessments

This assessment is used to identify the care and support an individual needs to live safely and comfortably. Information is gathered through interviews with the individual and/or their caregivers, along with assessments of the individual’s ability to perform daily living activities and their physical and cognitive abilities.


The individual’s abilities are evaluated in the context of their home environment, as well as their social, emotional, religious, and cultural needs.

MEDICO-LEGAL

Paediatric Assessments

These comprehensive occupational therapy assessments are used to identify a child’s current and future projected ability  to participate in activities of daily living, play and recreation, educational pursuits and work.


It is used to evaluate their past, current and future care needs, their therapy needs as well as their requirement for environmental modifications and/or equipment. As this is a specialised area of occupational therapy, Anna Young, our highly experienced paediatric occupational therapist, undertakes these assessments.

A woman and a child are playing a game at a table.