01 / 05
You Can Call Without Either One
Your child does not need a diagnosis or a physician referral to start occupational therapy with PEAK. If something in daily life feels hard, you can call us and describe what you see. A child might struggle to get dressed, tire quickly during writing, avoid a noisy room, or have trouble joining play. Those are questions worth discussing even when nobody has named a condition. We work with children from birth through age 18 in Bozeman and surrounding areas.
The free 15-minute consultation is a chance to tell us which parts of the day are difficult and ask whether an evaluation makes sense. We can listen to what happens at home or school before you decide about an appointment. The call is not a diagnostic visit. It is a way to ask about occupational therapy without waiting for a label or assembling a stack of paperwork first.
02 / 05
What an Evaluation Looks At
An occupational therapy evaluation starts with what your child does every day and what your family hopes to understand. We consider strengths alongside concerns. Depending on the child, we may look at movement, coordination, sensory processing, attention during tasks, self-care, play, or emotional regulation. We observe how those pieces affect ordinary activities rather than using a diagnosis as a shortcut to a treatment plan.
The initial evaluation lasts 60 to 90 minutes. It can take place at home, where a familiar routine may show more than a task done in an unfamiliar room. We discuss what we notice and what support might fit. If you have information from a pediatrician or school, you can share it, but you do not have to have it before you ask about the first visit.
03 / 05
When a Medical Visit Matters
PEAK provides occupational therapy and does not diagnose ADHD or autism. If you are seeking a medical diagnosis, have questions about pain, or notice a sudden change in how your child moves or acts, speak with the pediatrician. OT and medical care answer different questions. You do not have to wait for one to erase the other, but medical concerns deserve medical attention.
A pediatrician can also help when a difficulty may have a health-related cause. For example, a child who suddenly starts having accidents or seems unusually tired needs a medical conversation. We can talk about participation in everyday tasks, not determine the cause of an illness. When families bring the whole picture into each conversation, they can ask more useful questions of the right professional.
04 / 05
Insurance Has Its Own Rules
PEAK is private pay and does not bill insurance. Payment is due at the time of service. On request, we can provide a superbill that you may submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed, and your insurer may require a physician referral even though PEAK does not require one to begin care. These are separate decisions made by different organizations.
Before you count on reimbursement, ask your insurer whether it covers out-of-network pediatric occupational therapy and what documents it needs. Ask whether a referral must be dated before the evaluation and whether a particular provider credential or diagnosis is required under your plan. The insurer can answer its own rules; we can tell you which service we provide and how the superbill works. HSA and FSA cards are generally accepted, subject to your plan’s rules.
05 / 05
Choosing a First Step
If you are deciding between calling PEAK and calling the pediatrician, think about what you want answered. A medical symptom belongs with the pediatrician. Questions about how your child manages clothing, movement, school tasks, or routines can begin with an OT conversation. It is fine to talk with both. Neither a diagnosis nor a referral determines whether your day-to-day concern is worth bringing up.
You can tell us about the activity that prompted you to look for help and what your child enjoys doing. We can explain what an in-home evaluation could include and whether our services fit the concern. If you expect to use a superbill, checking your insurance requirements early may prevent a surprise later. Starting the conversation does not require you to have all the answers in hand.