Occupational Therapy
What is the role of Occupational Therapists in schools?
Occupational therapists use meaningful activities to help students participate in what they need and/or want to do in order to promote physical, cognitive, social/emotional, sensory and other aspects of performance. In schools, OTs focus on academics, play, leisure, social participation, self-care activities and transition/work skills. OT’s expertise includes activity and environmental analysis and modification with the goal of reducing barriers to participation.
School-based occupational therapists observe, assess, and address the student’s strengths and needs in natural settings (e.g.. Classroom, lunchroom, and playground). Services may be provided direct to the student or on behalf of the student in the school environment. Students do not come to school to receive therapy, rather they receive OT services so they can attend and participate in school. (AOTA, 2014)
What is the difference between school-based services and private OT?
The major difference between school-based services and private OT is that school-based OT identifies needs that have an educational impact. Private OT services can address needs that may impact any area of daily functioning. School-based therapy services assist the child with participating in their school environment to the best of the child’s ability and must be educationally relevant.
The term educationally relevant means the service is necessary to enable the child to benefit from his or her educational setting. The goals and interventions address the child’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance. Therapists observe a child within the educational environment and assess the demands of the program and setting. School-based therapists provide strategies to best capitalize upon a student’s abilities and minimize the impact of the student’s disabilities in the school environment.
