iOT Screener App

The iOT Screener app is a free screening tool for professionals and parents who may have concerns regarding their child or student. Created by Dr. Frederick B. Covington, OTD, the iOT Screener  app requests the user to input answers to general information about the child and themselves using a series of Yes/No questions. For children under the age of five, the app’s questions pertain to developmental milestones and progress typical to the child’s age.  For children over the age of five/school aged the app looks at maladaptive traits or behaviors noticed that may affect academic performance or everyday tasks.

Results of the screening for children ages under 5, reveals what percentages of developmental milestones are currently being met.  For the children over five/school aged, it reveals the percentage of maladaptive traits observed.  The ratings are categorized as;

• No Concern: Functioning Within Normal Limits
• Minimal Concern
• Moderate Concern
• Maximal Concern

Screening areas include cognitive, sensory, visual, hearing, fine motor, gross motor, self-care, functional skills and social emotional skills pending the age of the child. Age ranges for screening offered:

• 1-3 months
• 4-7 months
• 8-12 months
• 13-24 months
• 2-3 years
• 3-4 years
• 4-5 years
• 5 years and above

Pending the age range of the child, areas of screening differ. As an example the screening for a 4-7 month old child includes the following screening areas:

• Movement
• Visual
• Cognitive
• Speech/Hearing
• Social/Emotional

For 5 year olds and older the following screening areas are provided:

• vestibular
• tactile
• olfactory
• functional skills
• self-help

A report of the iOT Screener for a 1 year old  resulted in the following:

The iOT Screener app provides the ability to email report results. Concerns raised after viewing the screening results are addressed by locating appropriate medical professionals consisting of Occupational Therapists, Psychiatrists, Pediatricians, Physical Therapists, and Speech Pathologists from a searchable data base by location.

Use of the iOT Screener app was easy to use. As a free app it does provide a YouTube ad at onset thus not free from advertisement.  Initial trials of the app finds it appropriate for teachers, parents, counselor, child care worker or other health professionals who are familiar with a child and looking for a method of deciding whether to refer to OT for further evaluation. As a school based OT, this could only be used if involved in a group screening where no single student was identified but generally screening to identify needs. The screening requires that you are familiar with the child and can answer questions about their skills in areas of their development. No protocol, just observation and knowledge of the child is required. Certainly it is definitely a tool to trial to assist with referral decision-making. Free, it is worthwhile downloading and checking out if you are looking for a mobile device OT screening tool.

Perusing the iOT Screener website indicates an Android App is on the way.

Have you tried it? What are your thoughts?

Carol