• Explain The Role Of OT In Education

Occupational Therapists within the school system are there to aid the IEP team and student. The goal is to help the student to perform task independently. The OT in the school is to help the student to prepare and perform learning and school-related activities. The OT is to work on goals related to their education. The OT is there to support the students in academic and non-academic roles within the school. These skills would be anywhere from social skills, math, behavior, recess and other aspects to the students school day. The OT helps the student engage in activities, succeed within the school environment with the academic focus which is to improve the student’s fine motor skills. These skills are to help aid in cutting, writing, reading, and provide educational services and sensory skills. They support ideas within the learning community and classroom and can provide some daily living, such as hand washing and toileting. OT’s are active in the IEP collaboration and will provide help with the student on the playground, classroom, lunchroom and toileting. The OT helps provide in classroom supports and training to the staff on how to use the supports to benefit the student. These supports could range from “wiggle” seats, fidget items, adaptive classroom tools
What happens to these students beyond them exiting the public school system? This is something along the road of reform needed to be considered and addressed to adequately meet the needs of disabled students. The IDEA offers legislation for special needs students by providing them with related transitional services that would include vocational rehabilitation training. This training is designed to specifically address each student’s strengths in regards to their higher educational and workplace needs within their adult