Role of the School-Based Occupational Therapist*

 

• Occupational Therapy is one of the related services under Part B of IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) that may be provided to support a student's individualized education program.

• School-based O.T.s work collaboratively with the student's IEP team, and participate in evaluation, program planning, intervention, and monitoring intervention outcomes.​

• ​O.T.s assess the fine motor, visual motor, sensory motor, and self-care skills of students with disabilities.

• ​School-based O.T.s help define a student's strengths and needs and their impact on school performance. Interventions may or may not be provided directly with the student. Collaborating with school staff to monitor both the student's environment and his/her daily activities is always a part of school therapy.

• ​School-based O.T.s also help train school staff on ways to incorporate interventions and practice of motor skills into the classroom schedule.

• Related services are provided only if required to help a child with a disability to benefit from his/her educational program. A medical diagnosis or motor delay confirmed by evaluation results do not automatically indicate a need for school therapy. There must also be an adverse impact on the student's performance or access to their education. School-based O.T. is not intended to replace clinic-based O.T. Related services will be provided only when identified problem areas cannot be addressed appropriately by other school staff. ​​

 

 

* Some information modified from the Frederick County Developmental Center O.T. brochure.