Occupational Therapists are concerned with an individual's ability to fully participate in desired life tasks and roles including school and/or work, self-care, and play/leisure, as independently as possible. Using purposeful and age-appropriate activities the occupational therapist assists children with disabilities to achieve important life tasks. Occupational therapists also consult with families, teachers, caregivers, and others to help facilitate the child's growth and development within all of the environments in which children live.

Occupational Therapist PDF brochure   

• Evaluates student performance; identifies deficit and strength areas, evaluates progress
• Writes Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and/or Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP)
• Participates/gives input to the IEP/IFSP meetings
• Provides direct services to students, parents and teachers
• Maintains accurate files
• Collaborates with other professionals
• Prepares therapy lessons that help students develop or regain skills to learn, to play and care for themselves
• Has knowledge of various disabilities

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree is acceptable by some states however, more colleges and universities are changing to a master's degree program

• Check your state department of education or your state board of occupational therapy

• Must be flexible
• Enjoy working with school age students and in a school setting.
• Be a team player
• Be willing to keep up with the advancements in occupational therapy training

• Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2006, due to anticipated growth in demand for rehabilitation and long-term care services.
• Fast employment growth in schools will result from expansion of the school-age population and extended services for disabled students.

• Observe or volunteer with an occupational therapist working with students with disabilities
• Contact personnel preparation programs for information on course requirements for entering their training programs
• Contact organizations like the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) for further career information
• or attend an American Occupational Therapy Association national conference (see Resource Information below)

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
4720 Montgomery Lane
P.O. Box 31220
Bethesda, Maryland 20824-1220
(301) 652-2682