Someone may complete one activity independently and need help with another. A broad statement such as “needs assistance with daily activities” can lose the distinctions that make a handover useful.
The first case in OET Writing Drills for Occupational Therapy Candidates describes different support levels across everyday activities. Use that structure to practise precise summaries.
Keep the activity beside its support level
Independence, supervision and physical assistance are not interchangeable. Match each description to the activity in the notes before combining sentences. Do not independently reassess the person's ability.
Original non-clinical example
Notes: Opens the study platform independently; needs verbal prompts to upload a file; another person completes payment.
Accurate summary: “She opens the platform independently but needs verbal prompts when uploading files. Another person completes payment.”
Combine only comparable details
Two activities with the same support level may fit into one sentence. Activities with different levels usually need a contrast or separate clause. Brevity should not erase the difference.
Why is “She cannot use the platform” inaccurate?
It extends a difficulty with particular tasks to the entire platform. The notes specifically describe one task she can do independently.
Try an activity-by-activity check
Underline each activity in your draft and circle the associated support phrase. Compare each pair with the notes. Then check whether your opening summary overstates the help required.
For your next practice letter, make a small planning list of activity and assistance level. Use only the entries relevant to the recipient's task.
Explore OET Writing for Occupational Therapists — Course 1 to see the course outline, current availability and enrolment options. Use the worked exercise above to identify a skill you would like to practise next.
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OET Writing for Occupational Therapists — Course 1
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Source: OET OCC WR 01.epub, Jobins Training. Examples labelled original or illustrative were written for this article. Independent exam preparation; no affiliation with or endorsement by the examining body. Practice does not predict an official score.