Occupational therapists are licensed health care professionals with expertise in the foundational skills needed for learning and everyday activities. Foundational skills are considered fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual-perceptual skills, sensory skills, social-emotional skills and cognitive skills.
The E.S.S. occupational therapists provide:
- Assessment of a student’s functional strengths and challenges in the learning environment
- Education to and consultation and collaboration with the caregivers and the school team
- Direct short-term intervention
- Liaison with community agencies
Interventions may be provided individually or class-wide and include adaptations, modifications, remedial strategies or compensatory strategies to help a student become more independent in the learning environment. The intensity, frequency and duration of intervention is unique to the student or classroom.
Occupational therapy referrals for students are typically made by the school team.