Skip To Main Content

Occupational Therapy

close up of a student leaning over their handwriting worksheet
a student wearing a red hoodie kneeling on a blue carpet. he is smiling at the camera and has his hand on his craft project
a young girl, seated at a desk, stirring bright yellow paint with a paintbrush
a student and an slp smiling on a bus. the student is holding up stickers from the dunn museum showing dinosaurs

What is school-based Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy in a school setting helps students with various needs, such as physical, cognitive, social, or emotional challenges, to participate fully in their educational activities and daily routines. School-based occupational therapists work closely with teachers, parents, and other professionals to identify the specific needs of each student and develop individualized plans to support their learning and development. They may provide therapy sessions, adapt the classroom environment, recommend assistive technologies, or train teachers and staff on strategies to help students succeed. The goal of school-based occupational therapy is to enable students to actively engage in their education, build essential skills, and reach their full potential.

Therapy practitioners can assist with problem-solving to eliminate barriers that hinder access to educational environments and assist with modifications and accommodations to support students in their regular education or special education program. 

The role of occupational therapists and physical therapists in the team decision-making process involves collecting and analyzing the evaluation data and conveying to the team members its impact on the student’s ability to access and participate in the educational environment and programs. 

Under the IDEA, OT and PT are considered related services and are provided to support the student’s IEP.

School-based OT and PT are not intended to meet all the therapy needs of a child but are intended to meet needs of the student to promote success in the educational environment.  This is an important distinction between therapies provided in schools and those provided in the clinical setting. Some students require only community-based therapy; some only need therapy at school; some need both.

What do OT services look like at SEDOL?

SEDOL’s team of over 15 Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) work with students in every program in a variety of modes; individually, in small or large groups, and often on a monitoring and consulting basis as the student achieves progress and interventions are in place. The consultation model includes observing the student in the classroom, throughout the school, and in the community. 

SEDOL’s Occupational Therapy team assists students, parents/guardians, educational teams, and our member districts by:

  • Skill Development: OTs work with students to develop essential skills such as fine motor coordination, visual-perceptual abilities, sensory processing, and organizational/time management skills. They provide targeted interventions to improve these foundational skills that are necessary for academic tasks.
  • Classroom Accommodations: OTs assess the classroom environment and recommend adaptations or modifications to help students actively participate. This may include adjusting desk/chair height, providing fidget tools, using specialized writing implements, or setting up sensory-friendly areas.
  • Collaboration with Teachers: OTs collaborate closely with classroom teachers and other classroom staff to integrate strategies and accommodations seamlessly into the daily routines and activities. They provide training and guidance to help teachers understand and address students' unique needs.
  • Transition Support: For students moving between grade levels or from school to post-secondary settings, OTs help facilitate smooth transitions by assessing needs, recommending supports, and coordinating with new teachers and environments.

Meet the OT Leadership Team

  • Stacy Calcagnino M.S.OTR/L, OT Liaison  
  • Robert Bolin MA, SSP, Director of Special Services  
photo of bob bolin and stacy calcagnino sitting at a table with a SEDOL banner next to them
two boys kneeling next to a kiddie pool filled with sensory objects