What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational TherapyOccupational Therapy

What is OT and how can it help you What is OT and how can it help you and your students???and your students???

What is Occupational Therapy?

Definition• Occupational therapists are part of the education

team within a school district. The profession of OT is concerned with a person’s ability to participate in desired daily life activities or “occupations.” In schools, OT’s use their unique expertise to help children to be prepared for and perform important learning and school-related activities to fulfill their role as students.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Continued• OT’s support academic and non-academic

outcomes including social skills, math, reading, writing, recess, participation in sports, self-help skills, prevocational/ vocational participation and more.

What is Occupational Therapy?

It’s the Law• In 1975, following the enactment of legislation

known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142), thousands of occupational therapists were employed by public schools to provide therapeutic services (known as related services) to enable children with disabilities to participate in regular school settings.

What is Occupational Therapy?

IDEA & NCLB• Individuals with Disabilities Education

Act– Continues to Require OT’s in the School

Environment

• No Child Left Behind– OT’s help meet the requirements of NCLB

What is Occupational Therapy?

School-Based SettingServices typically include:

• Customized treatment programs to improve students’ ability to perform daily activities

• Comprehensive school evaluations and adaptation recommendations

What is Occupational Therapy?

Continued• Performance skills assessments and

treatment• Adaptive equipment recommendations and

usage training for IEP and non-IEP students• Guidance to staff members, family members

and other caregivers regarding educating students with diverse learning abilities

What is Occupational Therapy?

Eligibility Criteria• 3-21 years old • Must qualify for special education services as

defined by state guidelines• Must first have interventions• Next, a referral for a comprehensive evaluation

if necessary • Comprehensive evaluation will be conducted

in all areas of concern and the team will determine services needed

What is Occupational Therapy?

Support Service• OT is a support or related service on

and IEP meaning a student must have another service ie. written expression, behavior, etc. in which an OT then supports that service and the overall education of the student

What is Occupational Therapy?

IEP• Student must have an IEP to have OT

services, however an OT may provide interventions to non-IEP students when parental consent is given

• OT supports the student goals and does not have “OT Goals”

• Direct and Consult services available• Goal is for student to no longer need services

due to greater success and independence

What is Occupational Therapy?

OT Role• Support students education overall• Expertise in the following

– Visual-Motor skills– Visual-Perceptual skills– Sensory-Motor skills– Self-Care skills– Pre-vocational/Vocational skills– Adaptive Tools & Technology– Social Skills/Mental Health

What is Occupational Therapy?

Why OT’s need Teachers

• We can’t do it without you!!!• Implement strategies and adaptations on a

daily basis• See what is working and what is not working in

a classroom setting• Increasing awareness of special needs with

students• Identifying students with needs and trying

interventions

What is Occupational Therapy?

Seat & Desk Positioning• 90/90/90 (see previous OT/PT Moment on

Blog for specifics)• Group students by size• Feet on floor, or supported in some way• Traditional-students sitting in chair• Alternatives-students sitting in chair with

cushion, feet up on support, etc.• Ball Chair-students sitting on ball for seat

What is Occupational Therapy?

Writing and Cutting• Handwriting Without Tears terminology• Chicken wings, get them in!!!! Make sure

children are sitting up with nice posture to prevent shoulder blades from “sticking out.”

• Pencil grip (try short pencils and crayons) and scissor grip

• Support, or “helper” hands• Spacing• Reversals

What is Occupational Therapy?

Continued• Paper Selection-Some children may need

another option such as highlighted, raised line, grid, etc. to encourage better handwriting.

• Handwriting Without Tears• Cursive-Please Wait• Hand Games & Warm Ups-gets our

hands/fingers ready for writing

What is Occupational Therapy?

Technology• Classroom computer• Desktop word processors• Writing and Reading Software • Talk to SPED teacher and

your OT about options

What is Occupational Therapy?

Upper body development and control

• Prone (on the belly) activities support shoulder stability necessary for writing.

• Vertical surface activities ie. writing at the board, paper on easel, etc.

• Superman and giraffe/rocking puppy activities also encourage strength and coordination.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Indoor Recess• Use this time to help students develop

physically and to get their sensory needs met so they can learn.

• Reflex Integration Activities-See your bldg. OT/PT for more info.

• Brain Gym Activities-See your bldg. OT/PT for more info.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Give Them A Break• Kids can’t sit still for extended time and keep

their attention at an optimal level• K-2 10-15 minutes (less in the beginning of the

year) and 3-5 20-30 min• Get up and move, stretch, and breath• Involve the students, designate a leader for

these quick breaks• See your bldg. OT for ideas on movement

activities.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Sensory Processing• It effects everything from writing to

social interactions.

• Please attend the next sensory workshop… date to be determined.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Thank You!!!• Thanks for all you do!!!!!

What is Occupational Therapy?

References• www.wikipedia.com

• www.aota.org