Occupational Therapy in Educational Settings
Under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy
assistants are part of the education team within a school district.
The profession of occupational therapy is
concerned with a person’s ability to participate in desired daily life
activities or “occupations.” In the schools, occupational therapists use their
unique expertise to help children to be prepared for and perform important
learning and school related activities and to fulfill their role as students. In
this setting, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants
support academic and non-academic outcomes including social skills, math,
reading, writing, recess, participation in sports, self-help skills,
prevocational/ vocational participation and more, for children and students with
disabilities, 3 to 21 years of age. They are particularly skilled in
facilitating access to curricular and extra-curricular activities for all
students through supports, design planning, and other methods. Additionally,
they play a critical role in training parents, other staff members, and
caregivers regarding educating students with diverse learning needs.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy
assistants bring specific knowledge and expertise to the education team to
appropriately address student needs. Occupational therapists and occupational
therapy assistants know how to:
- Observe a student engaging in an activity and
provide strategies to facilitate the student’s full participation
- Reduce barriers that limit student
participation within the school environment
- Utilize assistive technology to support
student success
- Support the needs of students with significant
challenges, such as by helping to determine methods for alternate assessment
- Help identify long-term goals for post-school
outcomes
- Help plan relevant instructional activities
for ongoing implementation in the classroom
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy
assistants work with a variety of individuals to address student needs.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work with:
- Students to improve their performance in a
variety of learning environments (e.g., playgrounds, classrooms, lunchrooms,
bathrooms)
- Parents to help them support their children’s
learning and participation in school
- Educators and other school support staff to
plan and develop activities and environments that include all students
- Paraeducators to support child success and
promote safety within the school environment (e.g., physical and behavioral
assistance needs)
- Administrators to provide training for
students, staff, and parents, as well as to recommend equipment for schools
and ways to modify existing buildings and curriculum to allow access for all
Occupational therapy services for students with
special needs are determined through the IEP process. School-based occupational
therapy is available for students who are eligible for special education
services. Occupational therapists complete assessments and work with other
members of the school-based team to help determine what is needed for a student
to receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive
environment. They collaborate with other members of the education team to
identify a student’s annual goals and determine the services, supports,
modifications, and accommodations that are required for the student to achieve
these goals. When the IEP team determines that occupational therapy is needed
for a student in order to meet his or her annual goals, then occupational
therapy should be included in the student’s IEP.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy
assistants address student needs in other ways. Occupational therapy
practitioners and school districts across the country are finding innovative and
creative ways to integrate occupational therapy expertise across educational
environments. This includes providing valuable services to meet the broader
student and systemic needs beyond what is required under IDEA. These services
include occupational therapists participating in pre-referral activities to
address student behavior and learning needs, curriculum and program development,
and school health and safety; identifying assessment accommodations required
under the No Child Left Behind mandates; and developing violence prevention
programs and others. Many schools utilize the occupational therapist’s knowledge
and expertise to assist in developing curriculums such as handwriting and social
skills.
The American Occupational Therapy Association
4720 Montgomery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814-3425
301-652-AOTA (2682)
www.aota.org
Occupational Therapy: Skills for the Job of Living
Copyright 2003 American Occupational Therapy Association. All rights reserved.
This material may be printed and distributed without prior written consent.
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