The teacher requests the occupational therapist to observe the student, providing information on what skills are areas of concern
The occupational therapist schedules an formal observation (or two) with the teacher in the environment the issue has been observed
The occupational therapist consults with the teacher on observations notes and recommendations:
Intervention strategies or classroom accommodations are recommended to the teacher to be trialed, and the occupational therapist consults with the teacher on their effectiveness, and/or:
Occupational therapist requests parent permission to screen the student
Occupational therapist receives permission and screens the student
Occupational therapist writes the screen results and sends them to the teacher and the parents with recommendations:
Occupational therapist determines no need for occupational therapy services or interventions, or
Occupational therapist suggests intervention strategies or accommodations that can be carried over by the teacher and education assistants, and/or activities that can be encouraged at home to promote improved skill development, or
Occupational therapist recommends student for short term Response to Intervention group, which can be provided for in the classroom or in the OT room setting to address areas of concern for. Progress data is analyzed after a set number of weeks, with the team meeting to further decide:
If RTI plan should continue, or
Occupational therapist refers child for Occupational Therapy Evaluation
Student is observed again, multiple teachers are interviewed, parents and teachers complete Sensory Processing Measure, student participates in occupational therapy assessments, occupational therapist analyzes and synthesizes evaluation results and determines recommendation. Recommendations may include no services, classroom accommodation plan, continued consult, short term Response to Intervention Group, placement on individualized education plan, or a combination of the above.
By Occupational Therapist
When time permits, I will often try to make time to be in the general education classrooms as often as I can, particularly in Kindergarten and first grade classrooms. Occasionally during these times, I will observe students who appear as though their skills do not match that of their pears. In this case, the process is very similar.
The occupational therapist schedules a formal observation (or two) with the teacher in the environment the issue has been observed
The occupational therapist consults with the teacher on observations notes and recommendations:
Intervention strategies or classroom accommodations are recommended to the teacher to be trialed, and the occupational therapist consults with the teacher on their effectiveness, and/or:
Occupational therapist requests parent permission to screen the student
Occupational therapist receives permission and screens the student
Occupational therapist writes the screen results and sends them to the teacher and the parents with recommendations:
Occupational therapist determines no need for occupational therapy services or interventions, or
Occupational therapist suggests intervention strategies or accommodations that can be carried over by the teacher and education assistants, and/or activities that can be encouraged at home to promote improved skill development, or
Occupational therapist recommends student for short term Response to Intervention group, which can be provided for in the classroom or in the OT room setting to address areas of concern for. Progress data is analyzed after a set number of weeks, with the team meeting to further decide:
If RTI plan should continue, or
Occupational therapist refers child for Occupational Therapy Evaluation
Student is observed again, multiple teachers are interviewed, parents and teachers complete Sensory Processing Measure, student participates in occupational therapy assessments, occupational therapist analyzes and synthesizes evaluation results and determines recommendation. Recommendations may include no services, classroom accommodation plan, continued consult, short term Response to Intervention Group, placement on individualized education plan, or a combination of the above.
By Parent
Sometimes, occupational therapy services are requested by a parent. The most comprehensive information a parent can receive is obtained if they refer for an evaluation. A parent has every right to do so. Parents know their children best!
Often times, however, the evaluation process is long and lengthy and requires the student to be taken out of the general education classroom several times, when an observation/screen may provide for the appropriate information needed in order to recommend interventions or accommodations. I recommend that it not be discounted as a first step.