Minnesota State Guidelines for
Occupational Therapy in the
Educational Setting
Educational occupational therapists
follow federal and state educational
requirements and are certified by the
National Board for Certification in
Occupational Therapy and licensed by
the MN Department of Health.
Occupational Therapy is a related service
to the special education team. By
definition, this is a support service to
assist a student on an individual
educational plan (IEP) to benefit from
their special education programming.
In order for a student to receive OT
services, they must have a current IEP
and demonstrate a need for
supplementary support services related to
their primary educational goals. In other
words…occupational therapy services
cannot stand-alone.
Quick Tips:
•
Incorporate movement within the
classroom, throughout the school day
•
Practicing handwriting skills in
different positions, i.e. on the floor, on
the wall, on a slanted surface, etc.
•
Consider appropriate desk and chair
height:
o desk height 2” above students
bent elbow
o heel contact floor firmly
o weight evenly distributed on
both hips
•
Try different writing tools to promote a
more mature grasp:
o chalk
o broken crayons
o small markers (PipSqueaks®)
o MagnaDoodle®
•
Try writing using different textures
o sand
o shaving cream
o finger paint
o pudding
o sandpaper
•
Cut using a variety of resistive
materials
o PlayDoh®
o straws
o card stock or construction paper
Adapted from: Occupational Therapy and Physical
Therapy in Educational Settings: A Manual for MN
Practitioners, 2002
Occupational Therapy
for
Special Education
Students
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
DISTRICT
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
Public Schools
Educating our students to
reach their full potential
2009
Role of OT
Service Delivery
Services are most beneficial when
provided in a natural setting and
when goals and objectives are
integrated into daily routines.
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Collaborate with staff on
strategies and/or techniques to be
implemented with the student
Apply recommended strategies
and/or adaptations into the
student’s day
Modify and adapt environment,
equipment, and learning materials
Monitor and adjust classroom
interventions
Service can occur in bursts or in
time frames that are less than a
year
Does not imply student is pulled
out of natural learning
environments
Often includes a face-to-face
interaction between the therapist
and the student
Never regarded as long term or
permanent service
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Assess and determine students’ needs
Assist in IEP process
Collaborate with educational team
Provide services based on student
needs
Adapt the educational environment
Observe students to determine
modifications and/or strategies
Train and assist staff to implement
strategies and techniques for improved
functional independence
Develop adaptations and modifications
for students
OT Expertise
Fine Motor Skill Development
Educational Model for OT
• An occupational therapist
considers the child’s occupations
of play and school
• The therapist focuses on student
needs in the educational
environment
• The focus is not on “fixing” the
child, but adapting the task,
expectations, and environment
• Services change as the students’
needs change
• Rather than rehabilitate a deficit,
the school occupational therapist
may adapt or modify the
environment or offer the teacher
strategies to implement on a daily
basis to promote student success
• Fine motor development involves small
muscles of the hand. These muscles
require exercise and practice.
• In the school setting, OTs collaborate
with teachers and staff to develop
appropriate activities for improving
fine motor strength, coordination and
manipulation skills
Sensory Processing
• Sensory processing involves the ability
to take in information about our
environment through the senses and use
the information in a meaningful and
functional manner.
• In the school setting, OTs collaborate
with teachers and staff to improve
students’ sensory awareness and ability
to regulate their activity level.
∗ A medical/clinical model identifies
deficits and addresses them directly
through rehabilitative activities.