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What is School Based Occupational

Therapy
January 4, 2022 By Claire Heffron
Learn more about school based occupational therapy and how
OTs support students in the school-setting.
For people who aren’t familiar with our profession, there is
always some confusion regarding the job title “occupational
therapist”. The most common one I hear when I tell people that
I’m an occupational therapist is “ oh, so you help people find
jobs?“

But if you’re reading this post, chances are that you probably
already know that the word “occupation” when it comes to OT is
related to helping people accomplish the occupations (daily
tasks, routines, and activities) that bring a sense of purpose and
meaning to people’s lives.

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On top of the misconceptions about our job title, there can be
even more confusion about our role when you take into account
the countless practice settings where you can find OT‘s.  For
pediatric occupational therapists like myself, these settings can
include hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics,
clients’ homes, mental health settings, schools, and more!  

The role of an occupational therapist can vary a great deal

between different settings.  As a pediatric OT who has spent
most of my career in school based settings, I thought it would be
helpful to outline what the role and responsibilities of a school
based occupational therapist looks like and how it differs from
the role and responsibilities of OTs in other settings.

What is school based occupational

therapy?
Occupational therapists in the school system are focused on
supporting a child’s overall ability to participate as successfully
and fully as possible in the school environment.  OT’s focus
often includes: fine motor functioning, sensory processing, visual
motor and visual perceptual skills, self-care skills/activities of
daily living, social skills, cognitive skills and executive
functioning, and more!

OTs in schools are part of the special education team that can
include, special education teachers, general education teachers,
school psychologists, speech language pathologists, physical
therapists, and other professionals as well as students’ parents
and caregivers.

School based occupational therapists evaluate students to

determine whether OT services are recommended as part of the
IEP (individualized education plan).  If occupational therapy
services are recommended in the school setting, the OT will set
goals and objectives related to supporting the child’s success
and independence at school.  Every year, the team holds an IEP
meeting  where the IEP is reviewed and updated based on the
child’s progress.  Every 3 years, students are re-evaluated by the
entire special education team to determine which services
continue to be recommended.

Throughout the school year, OTs in the school setting constantly

collaborate and consult with a child’s teacher, parents, and other
professionals on the IEP team to ensure that skills are being
introduced, practiced, and generalized across the school
environment.

What does a school based

therapist do?
Occupational therapists in the schools are specifically concerned
with students’ ability to access the educational environment
safely and as independently as possible, including the
classroom, hallways, cafeteria, playground, bus, etc.  This role
differs, sometimes significantly, from the roles of clinic-based or
home-based occupational therapists, who are able to address
the child’s functioning at home and around the community.

According to IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act),

school based occupational therapy is a related service that
provides support to a child with an identified disability so that
they can benefit from special education.  This can take the form
of direct interventions, consultation/collaboration with the
educational team, accommodations, and modifications.  In
contrast, outpatient therapy in a clinic setting focuses on
providing services that support a child’s ability to independently
and efficiently access their home or the community and
approach evaluation and treatment using the medical model
rather than the educational model.
Are you new to school-based physical or occupational therapy
or thinking of making the switch?

Feeling overwhelmed by huge caseloads, mountains of

paperwork, and confusing lingo?

Finally, there’s a resource that will help you feel more

comfortable as you learn to deliver services in the school
setting!

This 3-hour on-demand webinar will help you discover the

secrets behind an organized, effective school-based therapy
practice!

>>>CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!<<<

These are areas that school based

occupational therapy commonly
focuses on:
Can the child access and effectively demonstrate fine motor
skills needed to use the materials and supplies needed to
participate in class (e.g. accurate cutting with scissors,
efficient grasp on writing utensils)?

Can they demonstrate visual motor coordination for tasks like

coloring, drawing and legible handwriting?

Can the child access and efficiently use technology devices

needed in the classroom?

Do they require sensory supports or other accommodations to

promote alertness, attention, or self-regulation?
Can they manage their personal materials independently
(backpack, coat, shoes/boots, clothing fasteners, bathroom
needs)?

Can the child maintain organization of their desk, locker, and

other personal spaces?

Can they navigate the cafeteria independently (managing the

lunch line, opening containers, using utensils)?

Does the child require seating or positioning supports to

maximize posture, alertness, attention, etc.?

Can the child transition between activities throughout the

school day without difficulty?

Can the child interact with their peers appropriately,

demonstrating fulfilling friendships and social engagement?

Want to learn more about school

based occupational therapy?
Check out this post, where I outline a day in the life of a school
based occupational therapist.

Here’s a free printable about school based therapy from AOTA.

And don’t miss our School Based Therapist Handbook

Webinar  and our Pushing into the Classroom Webinar !
5 Days of Free
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Claire Heffron
Claire Heffron is co-author at The Inspired Treehouse and a
pediatric occupational therapist in a preschool/primary school
setting. She began her career with a bachelor's degree in
magazine journalism but quickly changed course to pursue
graduate studies in occupational therapy. She has been
practicing therapy for 10 years in public and specialized
preschool/primary school settings. She is a mom to three funny,
noisy boys and relies on yoga, good food, and time outside to
bring her back to center.
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