Best Practice is…collaboration between the school OT and the parent, teacher, other team members and outside therapists in order to support the student.

Successful Collaboration Requires that we:

Clearly articulate our role

 

Understand each other’s role

 

Acknowledge, embrace and fully utilize differences and areas of expertise

Collaboration is an equal partnership of members of diverse backgrounds or experience that work together to plan and take responsibility for the accomplishment of a goal or task. Members have an equal voice and responsibility, although the roles may be different within the process.

Factors that lead to effective collaboration:

Focus on the child’s needs

 

Understand special education process

 

Respect differences in approach, perspectives and ideas

 

Communicate regularly and effectively

 

Effective collaboration strategies when working with community-based OTs and families

Communication between school & community therapist is critical

 

Define roles and responsibilities of each therapist – identify differing goals,eligibility criteria and service delivery models within each setting

 

Create a unified message of support for the student so that family hears the same message

 

Clarify, with all involved, equally important but different roles and the necessity for collaborating for the student to be most successful.