Occupational Therapy
School-based Occupational Therapy (OT) is designed to enhance the student’s ability to fully access and be successful in the learning environment. OT is provided when a student eligible for special education requires it in order to access and benefit from his or her primary special education services. Examples of OT services in the school environment include instruction in and support for handwriting, development of fine motor or visual motor skills required for writing, and the use of technology to support the student’s completion of written assignments. The Occupational Therapist also assists with other skills required to function independently in the school environment, including self-feeding, dressing, manipulation of school tools, organizational skills, adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, functional mobility and sensory processing needs. Occupational Therapists work with students and teachers directly and indirectly to adapt learning materials and strategies to facilitate successful participation of a student with fine motor and/or sensory deficits.
Occupational Therapy Resources:
| Categories | Resources |
|---|---|
| Handwriting: | Eight Tool for Kids with Dysgraphia: https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dysgraphia/8-tools-for-kids-with-dysgraphia?view=slideview&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorgWhy Your Child Presses “too lightly” When Writing: https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog/why-your-child-presses-too-lightly-when-writingA Review of Handwriting Development Apps: https://gotoforot.com/2016/06/30/handwriting-development-appsLearning Without Tears Resources Page: https://www.lwtears.com/freeresources?info_for%5B%5D=21Teaching Left Handed Writing Handout: http://handedness.org/posters/leftwrite.pdfWhen to “Fix” a pencil grasp: https://theanonymousot.com/2013/03/22/when-to-fix-a-pencil-grasp/ Ready to Print App: |
| Sensory Strategies: | Strategies you can try at home for sensory processing issues: https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/sensory-processing-issues/sensory-processing-issues-strategies-you-can-try-at-homeSensory Smart Clothing Choices: https://www.sensorysmarts.com/Digestclothing.pdfIncorporating Sensory Input into Daily Activities: https://www.spdstar.org/basic/home-activitiesSensory Processing Disorders Across the Lifespan: The Role of OT: https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/FactSheet_SensoryIntegration.pdfSensory Processing Overview: https://sensoryprocessing101.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Sensory-Processing-Overview-Cheat-Sheet.pdf?__s=ktjmzfbgez9owndq66fzOne Hundred Classroom Sensory Strategies: https://sensoryprocessing101.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/100-Classroom-Sensory-Strategies.pdf?__s=ktjmzfbgez9owndq66fz |
| Kindergarten Readiness: | Eye Exercises for School Success: http://eyecanlearn.com/Developmental Progression Of Handwriting Skills: http://mamaot.com/developmental-progression-of-handwriting-skills/#prewriting |
| Self-Care: | Self Care Developmental Checklist: https://childdevelopment.com.au/resources/child-development-charts/self-care-developmental-chart/Magic Molly Shoe Tying Video: https://youtu.be/a9tt7iI0VV8Ellyn Satter Institute: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/ is a website for teachers & parents of picky eaters and also a great resource for kids with regulation issues and/or any developmental or learning challenges or allergies believed to be impacted by diet. |
| Keyboarding Skills: | Free Online Typing Programs: https://www.typing.com/ includes instruction, practice games, and timed tests; tracks wpm and accuracy http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr fun animated instruction for beginning typersActivities to Practice Mouse Skills: https://tvokids.com/preschool/games/bees-and-honey Animated practice games for improving target accuracy http://www.meddybemps.com/halloween/piratepuzzle.html Puzzle games to practice click and dragShortcut Tools for Typing: Read & Write for Google and Co:Writer are extensions that can be downloaded and include: word prediction, text to speech, talk & type, dictionaries, language translation, etc.https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/readwrite-for-google-chro/inoeonmfapjbbkmdafoankkfajkcphgd?hl=en-US is a tutorial for how to download Read & Write for Googlehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwC_hJ7KmAg is a tutorial video for Read & Write for Google.http://donjohnston.com/cowriter/ is a video tutorial and download for Co:Writer. |
| Fun Activities for Practice at Home: | Cutting Taco Game: https://jdaniel4smom.com/2014/04/cinco-de-mayo-taco-fun-activity-kids.htmlFluffy Slime recipe: Fluffy SlimeMovement and Visual Perceptual Activity: https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2018/01/22/spy-exercise-movement-visual-perceptual-activity-freebie/ |
| Fun Activities for Practice at Home (Cont.): | Winter Snowflake Balance Beam Fun: http://www.theottoolbox.com/2015/12/snowflake-balance-winter-gross-motor.htmlWinter Icicle Scissors Skills: http://www.theottoolbox.com/2014/01/icicle-winter-scissor-skills-activity.html |
| Other Categories or Excellent Websites: | Yoga for kids: https://www.kidsyogastories.com/Pink Oatmeal: Movement Breaks For Kids: https://www.pinkoatmeal.comOther Excellent Websites: http://www.theottoolbox.com/?m=1 is a blog about OT ideas, crafts, handwriting and cursive activities, visual perceptual skills, and more!http://school-ot.com is a site that makes recommendations for resources for use by parents, teachers and new OT practitioners.https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/ is a website designed to offer ideas/activities especially to boost the skills that children need at schoolhttps://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/School%20Settings%20fact%20sheet.pdf is a fact sheet from the American Occupational Therapy Association that details the scope of OT practice in the public school setting. http://learningworksforkids.com/playbooks/ is a website that can be used to search the best learning games and apps for children. https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/daily-visual-schedule/ is a link to downloads for free visual schedules for parents to use at home https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/planes-of-movement-2/#comment-122438 is a nice suggestion list of movement activities to facilitate crossing midline, bilateral coordination and laterality |