ABSTRACT
Chapter 12 provides examples of therapist-created assessment tools, recommendations of standardized instruments, examples of goal statements and data-gathering methods. It also addresses the importance of maintaining the privacy of each client.
The process of horticultural therapy includes assessing a client’s status during her or his first session and at regular intervals thereafter. Assessment may take many forms, including functional observation, work samples, checklists, and standardized instruments. An assessment helps the therapist to establish a baseline, which allows for comparison to measure progress. The assessment also enables establishment of treatment goals and objectives, and provides information to the horticultural therapist to guide intervention strategies that are person-centered.
The baseline, goals and objectives, and increments of progress are documented in a client’s record. The record may be formally maintained by a facility or may consist of records kept privately by the horticultural therapist. In either case, documentation is communicated to the treatment team when appropriate. Recording client behaviors and progress toward objectives is crucial to professional practice.
