What is School-based Occupational Therapy (OT)?

If you are a parent, a teacher, or an occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) who is new to working in schools, you may be wondering exactly what school based occupational therapy (OT) is. The field of OT is always focused on holistic client care and promoting healthy participation in the activities of daily life. For school age children, this means that OT is there to help assure that children can engage and develop to their best capacities as students in the school environment. OT in schools serves to ensure that ALL children, no matter what their ability, have the opportunity to receive and engage in a free and appropriate education (FAPE). Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals who are focused on providing interventions in school environments that help all students access and benefit from their educational programming.

What does it take to be a student? Well, a lot! From the time a child wakes up in the morning until the time they are dismissed from school each day, they are engaged in daily activities that influence their participation within the educational environment. These activities are both academic (learning curriculum for reading, writing, math, other subjects, etc.) as well as non-academic (social interactions, playing with others, self-care skills such as dressing, going to the bathroom, eating and drinking, etc.). While some environmental demands of the school setting look familiar from year to year, the demands of a child’s academic programming may change. Occupational therapist’s are able to use their distinct knowledge of child development, impact of disability, health and well-being, and inter-professional collaboration to support all students through their educational journeys, starting at age 3 years and continuing until age 21 years for qualified students.

The role of school-based OT is to support children in successful engagement and participation throughout their school day. While OT’s provide specific skilled services to students with disabilities or those at-risk for disability and learning difficulties, OT’s are also there to support entire school systems to promote health and well-being for all students.

School based OT takes into account a student’s personal factors, the context of the environment in which they are participating, and the demands of the task which they are performing. Through the scientific and artful blending of these lenses, OT is there to help children maximize their educational experience through building empowerment and reducing barriers to participation.