Occupational Therapy in the Lunenburg Public Schools

Occupational Therapist's and Certified Occupational Therapist's are part of the school team. In the school setting occupational therapy practitioners use their unique expertise to help children to prepare 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, under the supervision of the occupational therapist) support academic and non-academic outcomes, including social skills, math, reading and writing (i.e., literacy), behavior management, recess, participation in sports, self-help skills, pre-vocational/vocational participation, and more, for children and students with disabilities, 3 to 21 years of age. Practitioners are particularly skilled in facilitating student access to curricular and extracurricular activities through supports, designing and 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. (AOTA fact sheet school practice 2010).

Occupational Therapy is defined as a related service and supports students that are eligible for special education on an IEP (individualized education plan). When concerns arise regarding a student's ability to participate in the classroom or school setting often an Occupational Therapist is consulted to determine if there is a need for services. A screening in the classroom or school setting is completed first or a consult with the classroom teacher to determine if accommodations can be made for the student to help him/her be successful. If after a short trial period the student is still struggling an evaluation may be recommended to determine if there are underlying weaknesses that are affecting the child's ability to participate in the classroom or school setting. Once an evaluation is completed the child's team will meet (teacher, parents, therapists) and determine if the student demonstrates delays in the areas of classroom fine motor skills (hand grasp/cutting/drawing/writing), social participation,sensory motor coordination, vocational skills, assistive technology,and/or classroom participation.

Occupational Therapy is provided in the least restrictive environment which often is in the classroom setting. It can also provided in a 1:1 setting in the therapy room where there is access to specialized equipment and a quieter setting. It can be provided on an individual basis, small group or consultative basis. Occupational Therapy is involved with whole school initiatives like the Handwriting Without Tears writing program at the Primary School, Early Intervention, Teacher Support Team, Child Study Teams, and many other school wide programs.