Occupational Therapy

Services Provided:

OT Staff provide interventions via a variety of models depending on  the need of the student and the services outlined in the IEP and/or 504.

• OT’s Perform screenings and evaluations to assess the presence of a disability and the need for intervention
• OT’s Develop and implement Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Section 504 accommodation plans.
• OTAs can implement IEP interventions.
• OT staff provide intervention to students identified with a disability need relative to the Occupational Therapist’s areas of expertise.
• Services are provided via consultative model within the context of the classroom and school activities; direct intervention in the student’s classroom or during school activities or via direct intervention in the therapy area.

Consideration for Occupational Therapy Services:

Students qualify for OT intervention following the SSP and/or Special Education Evaluation process.  A screening is conducted if there is a suspected disability.  Following the screening an evaluation is conducted if additional information is needed and/or there is evidence of a suspected disability.  Students who are referred for OT services may have significant difficulty accessing the curriculum in the areas of visual motor skills, handling and using classroom materials, and/or difficulty in completing activities of daily living and self-help activities.

If you suspect that your child has a fine motor or visual motor disability ask your child’s teacher, school administrator, or OTR about how to initiate the screening process.

Staffing:

Occupational Therapists – are licensed by the state of MA. OT Staff provide therapeutic interventions to students with disabilities in the school setting.  Interventions are aimed at assisting students with access to educational activities and may target visual motor skills, fine motor skills, self-help kills, activities of daily living, and managing school materials.  Occupational Therapists conduct screenings, evaluations, report at meetings, provide consultation and collaboration to teams, and develop intervention plans for students who qualify for services. Services are provided following IEPs and 504 plans.

 Occupational Therapy Assistants – work under the supervision of Occupational Therapists, and are   licensed by the state of MA.  OTAs provide therapeutic interventions and strategies to students who qualify for services, implementing the IEPs and 504 plans.  OTAs collaborate and consult to school staff as well.