Occupational therapy is a health-related service that is beneficial for many children who have been identified as having special needs. Students who receive special education services through the public school are entitled to free occupational therapy sessions, provided that they qualify after an evaluation. School based occupational therapy is provided in order to help children who struggle with a variety of daily activities, including those that involve fine motor skills, sensory responses, organizational skills, and behavior. Special needs children in the public school system often receive occupational therapy services one or more times a week.
Occupational therapists who provide school based services will often work with a child one on one or in a small group setting outside of the mainstream classroom. Some special needs children have these services integrated into the larger classroom environment. Students who are participating in school-based occupational therapy will receive assistance from trained professionals when learning to master such skills as holding a pencil properly, staying focused on a classroom lesson, learning to adapt to sensory stimuli, or buttoning or zipping clothes. Occupational therapists will typically devise a plan of short-term and longer-range goals for a student to meet, and will stay in contact with teachers, administrators, and parents in regard to a child's progress.
Special needs children who begin receiving regular occupational therapy services from an early age onward will have the best chance of developing skills that are needed for a productive adulthood. Some children will be able to qualify for occupational therapy before they reach school-age through an early intervention program. The aim of the therapist is to help a child with special needs to function as independently as possible--this process can include tasks such as strengthening short and long term memory skills, improving coordination, and assisting in the acquisition of grooming and cooking skills.
School based occupational therapy is widely offered to children with a variety of special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, visual or hearing impairments, and muscular dystrophy. Occupational therapists must be licensed and certified in each state, and should be able to display a great deal of patience as well as strong social skills.
1. http://www.aota.org/Consumers/WhatisOT/CY/Articles/School_consumer.aspx
2. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm