School-Based OT is a Public Health Service

  • Occupational therapists in the school setting serve entire schools of students, families, and staff

  • Student populations served include those in general and special education

  • School occupational therapy supports all students, not only those identified with a disability

  • All students should have access to participating in their school environments

Public school systems serve our communities

National Therapy Organizations Recognize Workload Models as Best Practices for School Districts

In 2014, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), all endorsed a paradigm shift in service delivery to a workload approach.

Workload Approaches include time for

  • As mandated by individual education plans and 504 plans.

  • With teachers, teams, and parents.

  • In accordance with state and local guidelines.

  • At all tiers to support students universally.

  • For at-risk students.

  • Student support team meetings, IEP meetings, 504 meetings, planning and collaborative meetings with staff.

  • Providing trainings to staff.

  • Including universal design, classroom set-up, curriculum selection, implementation of positive behavioral supports.

Research identified barriers to shifting to a workload approach

  • Time and Scheduling

  • Large / Unreasonable Caseloads

  • Negative Perceptions of Stakeholders

Tips to shifting to a Workload Approach