What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy principal is based on purposeful, goal directed activity to promote health and well being for individuals with disabilities. In the educational setting, we focus on activities needed by the child for being a student and their participation in the learning environment to support their performance. Occupational Therapy services may be indicated to help promote educational goals in areas that may be influenced by underlying difficulties with motor (hand mechanics, coordination, postural control), processing (organization, and attention), and/or interaction skills (often related to sensory function or behavior). Occupational Therapy services may assist with modifying or determining accommodations, assist in restoring or promoting skill development, assist with training, and may serve as a liaison with medical agencies.

When is a student eligible for occupational therapy services in schools?  
 
Occupational Therapy Services may be provided if a student with a disability requires intervention to access their instruction and/or to support progress in meeting Educational goals as determined by the assessment and IEP Process.

When a student is having handwriting problems, can the OT teach handwriting? 
Therapists are not handwriting teachers. Therapists may assist the student by working with fine motor deficits to improve hand mechanics that are required for writing. There are many factors that may impact the skill of writing such as cognitive and developmental readiness, sensory/perceptual processing concerns, and/or attention behavior. Therapists collaborate and consult with teachers with strategies and training that will support instruction of fine motor skills for handwriting.