What type of assessment is designed to provide ongoing feedback to clients and therapists during the treatment process?

Formative assessment is specifically designed to provide ongoing feedback throughout the treatment process. This type of assessment is characterized by its focus on continuous improvement, allowing both clients and therapists to monitor progress, identify areas needing attention, and make necessary adjustments to interventions. The iterative nature of formative assessment encourages dialogue between practitioners and clients, fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship.

Unlike summative assessments, which evaluate the outcomes of treatment at the end of a designated period, formative assessments are conducted regularly and aim to enhance learning and skill development in real-time. They can take various forms, such as observations, informal assessments, and feedback sessions. This allows the occupational therapist to tailor interventions based on the client’s evolving needs and responses.

In contrast, standardized assessments are structured, uniform tests with predetermined scoring systems, while norm-referenced assessments compare an individual's performance against a larger population. Neither of these provides the continuous, real-time feedback that formative assessments do.