Pediatric Assessment and Intervention Learning Experience

06 May 2026
An image of three University of Montana occupational therapy doctorate students administering a pediatric assessment to a pediatric client.
University of Montana Occupational Therapy students gained hands-on pediatric experience through PDMS-3 assessment and intervention planning in the UMT lab preschool. Students applied classroom knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving strategies in a real-world clinical setting.

During the spring semester, occcupational Therapy students visited the University of Montana's lab preschool to gain hands-on experience administering the PDMS-3 assessment in a real-world setting. Following the assessment, students were tasked with developing and implementing a 30-minute, skill- and age-appropriate intervention plan for the same child a week later. This opportunity provided important insights into the flow of a typical pediatric therapy session, requiring students to adapt treatments in the moment. By doing so, they applied critical thinking, problem-solving, and intervention strategies learned in the classroom to a clinical environment.