Examples of the role and functions of a public school OT

*Problem Solve

*Educate student/teacher/parent

*Design/adapt activities and environments to facilitate participation

*Establish a skill or ability

*Maintain skills needed for participation

Educate…examples

-Train team members and student in use of special equipment or assistive technology

-Provide a workshop for preschool teachers on how to incorporate fine motor activities to prepare students for writing

-Educate parents and teachers on reasons for student behaviors and how and why to implement a sensory diet

-Educate teachers about rationale behind  accommodations so that they are able to apply effectively across school settings

-Train paraprofessional to work with student to improve independence in PM routine (find locker, pack books in backpack, put on coat, etc.) through daily guided practice in context

Design/Adapt…examples

-Adapt desk/chair to allow access

-Adapt mouse to allow access to computer

-Design daily routine to provide consistency and predictability to support student’s performance

-Design daily routine to minimize fatigue to allow participation throughout the school day

-Adapt math materials for successful manipulation

-Adapt manner in which student gets assignment information from the board, e.g.. Note buddy, teacher provided notes, www.schoolnotes.com

-Adapt/Rearrange classroom desks and materials to allow independent negotiation and access

Establish…examples

-Improve fine motor skills to allow for participation in arts & crafts activities

-Improve ability to tolerate sensory input so that student can tolerate sitting near peers at morning meeting

-Improve eye-hand coordination so the student can accurately copy from the board in class

-Reduce distractibility by establishing a daily routine of sensory movement activities in order to allow for participation in classroom learning activities

Maintain…examples

-Maintain ability to keep kindergarten play area free from clutter by using pictures to identify where each item is stored to allow the student with reduced balance and coordination to access play area safely

-Maintain independent access to drawing and writing implements by providing a modified pencil grip

-Teach a caregiver home range of motion exercises designed to allow the child with increase muscle tone to continue to be able to feed himself using modified utensils