Occupational Therapy
in Schools
Current Best Practices Include:
Health Promotion and Prevention
Maintaining the Least Restrictive Environment
Universal, Targeted, and Individual Interventions
Collaboration and Consultation
“The MTSS framework optimizes the environment, curriculum, and instruction to promote the success of all students and staff. It creates opportunities for Occupational Therapy Practitioners to provide a continuum of services to students, teams, and schools to promote, prevent, identify, and support occupational performance and participation.” (1)
Every Child Succeeds Act (ESSA) & Early Intervening Services (EIS)
The Every Child Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a program developed to replace the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Occupational Therapists are identified as Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP).
Early Intervening Services (EIS) were implemented by IDEA to support any student struggling with learning or behavior and requiring these students be placed in the least restrictive environment. Read ASHA’s publication on EIS & services in the school setting.
These laws “create opportunities for occupational therapists to assist school districts in optimizing student learning through health promotion initiatives and to prevent the high cost of 1:1 interventions through the provision of EIS.” (3)