In collaboration with the school team, the Occupation Therapist (OT) directs the process of developing, implementing, and coordinating the OT plan for students in the Multi-Tiered System of Support, the special education evaluation process, and special education students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEP). OT’s may participate in screening, evaluation, educational programming, transition planning, therapeutic interventions, and exit planning provided for students identified with or suspected of having disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities and participate in necessary or desired daily occupational or educational activities.

The Occupational Therapist is a member of the interdisciplinary education team that works toward the development of skills needed for the occupation of being a student. This is accomplished by preparing the student to participate in work, play, and independent living activities for success in their educational setting. Occupational therapists develop and implement therapeutic activities which support IEP goals and objectives to remove possible barriers to the student’s ability to participate in their education programming. These therapeutic activities may include: fine motor, visual motor, visual perception, sensory processing, and self-help behaviors for successful classroom participation or additional educational needs as determined by the IEP team.

The OT may also supervise and direct the therapeutic interventions of the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.