Occupational Therapy (OT) is a type of treatment that aims to help people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities to develop their functional independence. This means their disability is having a significant effect on the way they carry out tasks within their daily routine. The purpose of this page is to inform teachers about occupational therapy and it's role in the lives of students with disabilities.
Occupational therapists are trained professionals who specifically work "According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an someone's physical well-being, occupational therapist practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that can affect functioning in different ways. (Please see attached PDF "Statement on Occupational Therapy" from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) for more information)". The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), also mentions the fact that OT practitioners also have a responsibility to address psychological, social, and environmental factors that can affect functioning as well as to dealing with an someone's physical well-being. I hope this page allows teachers to increase their knowledge of occupational therapy to support students receiving expert treatment, but in addition to have more confidence to effectively collaborate with OT's to support the work that they do during sessions.
Please see the YouTube clip below from the UK. This NHS (National Health Service) Foundation Trust organization lets us view the service offered by Greenwich children's occupational therapy team.
Occupational therapists are trained professionals who specifically work "According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an someone's physical well-being, occupational therapist practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that can affect functioning in different ways. (Please see attached PDF "Statement on Occupational Therapy" from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) for more information)". The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), also mentions the fact that OT practitioners also have a responsibility to address psychological, social, and environmental factors that can affect functioning as well as to dealing with an someone's physical well-being. I hope this page allows teachers to increase their knowledge of occupational therapy to support students receiving expert treatment, but in addition to have more confidence to effectively collaborate with OT's to support the work that they do during sessions.
Please see the YouTube clip below from the UK. This NHS (National Health Service) Foundation Trust organization lets us view the service offered by Greenwich children's occupational therapy team.
A definition of "Occupation"
There is a preconceived idea that occupational therapy is for people who are in an "occupation". As teachers we can look at it from this perspective; our student's occupation is to come to school and complete lessons to the best of their ability! Therefor it is important to understand that occupations refer to the everyday activities that people do as individuals. For our students this involves activities both at home and in school, and include things people need to, want to and are expected to do.
What kind of student may benefit from Occupational Therapy?
There are many students with disabilities that would benefit from occupational therapy. This is due to the fact their disability means they face challenges or difficulties when carrying out everyday activities. In addition, students with the following medical problems might benefit from occupational therapy according to the AOTA:
- birth injuries or birth defects
- sensory processing disorders
- traumatic injuries (brain or spinal cord)
- learning problems
- autism/pervasive developmental disorders
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis- mental health or behavioral problems
- broken bones or other orthopedic injuries
- developmental delays
- post-surgical conditions
- burns
- spina bifida
- traumatic amputations
- cancer
- severe hand injuries
- multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other chronic illnesses
Occupational therapy can help students with various needs enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment by developing their cognitive, physical and sensory skills. As a result, occupational therapy can be a vital part of health care for some students. I am very excited that The American School of the Hague where I work has just employed a full time occupational therapist. She will begin in August and will be working with a wide variety of students in the school. I have had little experience working with occupational therapists in the past, however have had conversations where they have asked for my opinion with regards to one student in particular. Unfortunately this students parents refused the recommended occupational therapy services as they did not believe he required assistance to develop his fine motor skills. I can see from his development in Physical Education that not only his fine motor skills requires some development, as the manner in which he coordinates his body while running and jumping in particular is difficult. As a result of discontinuing his therapy, I have been unable to see any improvements. I look forward to working with the occupational therapist in the future to see how I can help students of varying needs to lessen the effect of their disability.
What does an Occupational Therapist Do?
Occupational therapy comes in many forms and is specific to the needs of the student with disabilities. As teachers, we follow a process that includes assessment; occupational therapists also ensure they gather data on the students in order to provide services that cater to their specific needs. Therapro is an example of a website that provides examples of an evaluation chart that has links to numerous assessment over ten main evaluation areas. (It also has links to purchase activities, games, and other products to promote improvements to physical, sensory and cognitive skills.)
As a result of assessment, OT's plan activities relating to a students disability.
Examples include:
- Developing ability to use fine motor skills. This might include the ability to grasp and release toys, or develop their ability to hold a pencil properly to help their handwriting skills.
- Helping children with physical disabilities learn basic tasks (such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and feeding themselves). This may also include introduction of using specialized assistive technologies such as wheelchairs or communication aids.
- Supporting students with behavioral disabilities (such as ADHD or depression) to maintain positive behaviors in everyday life.
- Co-ordination and balance activities practiced to support their motor development. This means students will be more able to take part in sports activities and school tasks (e.g. handwriting, use of computer/iPad, cooking, catching a ball).
- Improve focus and social skills for students with sensory and attentional issues that affect their ability to concentrate and achieve their best in class.
Examples include:
- Developing ability to use fine motor skills. This might include the ability to grasp and release toys, or develop their ability to hold a pencil properly to help their handwriting skills.
- Helping children with physical disabilities learn basic tasks (such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and feeding themselves). This may also include introduction of using specialized assistive technologies such as wheelchairs or communication aids.
- Supporting students with behavioral disabilities (such as ADHD or depression) to maintain positive behaviors in everyday life.
- Co-ordination and balance activities practiced to support their motor development. This means students will be more able to take part in sports activities and school tasks (e.g. handwriting, use of computer/iPad, cooking, catching a ball).
- Improve focus and social skills for students with sensory and attentional issues that affect their ability to concentrate and achieve their best in class.
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Occupational therapists may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities and nursing homes. The following YouTube clip is a good example of the range of "many faces" an occupational therapist may have.
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So what can we as teachers do to support our students with disabilities and the Occupational Therapist?
I hope from reading this web page, you can already start to brainstorm and identify ways as a teacher that you can support the work of an occupational therapist. Using assistive technologies within the class can make students more confident, independent and students can better reach their potential. The following graphic reviews ways in which a teacher can support the occupational therapist in the classroom. It is important to remember that the primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. A large proportion of this time is at school, within an inclusive environment. Teachers have a significant effect on a students success, therefor considering how to support the occupational therapist is of upmost importance.
In addition, this next resource gives teachers an opportunity to read a relatable article on occupational therapy, written for kids. AOTA provides a vast array of Tip Sheets for students who are receiving OT. Two examples can be viewed via the attachments section. It is important to consider a student with regards to how they must live their everyday lives. Although not directly relative to school, this next link gives us a chance to read about "A day in the life of a OT".
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In addition, this next resource gives teachers an opportunity to read a relatable article on occupational therapy, written for kids. AOTA provides a vast array of Tip Sheets for students who are receiving OT. Two examples can be viewed via the attachments section. It is important to consider a student with regards to how they must live their everyday lives. Although not directly relative to school, this next link gives us a chance to read about "A day in the life of a OT".
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Websites Links
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)
Evidence Based Occupational Therapy
Therapy for Street Kids (a resource for parents to practice occupational therapy activities at home)
Potential - A blog from Sarah Lyon (discussing issues and matters concerning occupational therapy)
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)
Evidence Based Occupational Therapy
Therapy for Street Kids (a resource for parents to practice occupational therapy activities at home)
Potential - A blog from Sarah Lyon (discussing issues and matters concerning occupational therapy)
| howtouseaotaschildhoodoccupationstipsheets.pdf |
| ot_tips_for_health__success_in_school.pdf |
| statement_on_occupational_therapy_300811.pdf |