• Who needs Occupational Therapy?
• Clinic Occupational Therapy vs. School Occupational Therapy
• Fine Motor Activities
• Sensory Activities
• Resources

Only a small percentage of children in the school system require the services of an occupational therapist. A student must first be diagnosed with a disability and be placed in special education before becoming eligible for occupational therapy services in the school setting.

Disabilities are typically identified through testing completed by the school district's Assessment Specialist. Identified disabilities eligible for special education include: Autism, Other Health Impaired (includes diagnosis such as ADHD), Visual Impairment, Auditory Impairment, Orthopedic Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Deaf and Blind, Multiple Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Emotionally Disturbed, Learning Disability, and Speech Impairment.

Occupational Therapy in the public schools is considered a related service. In other words, OT services cannot stand alone as a disability. A child must have another eligibility as their primary diagnosis. Occupational Therapy is a related service because OT intervention assists and supports the student in successfully accessing their education.

A student qualifies for Occupational Therapy when he or she demonstrates significant physical or sensory delays that interfere with their ability to perform daily activities at school.

If a student is in special education and demonstrates these delays, a referral for an occupational therapy evaluation can be requested by the ARD committee.