Occupational Therapy
VISION
The Occupational Therapy Department envisions a community that respects, values, celebrates and supports individual differences in education.
Our goal is to maximize the student’s ability to independently and successfully participate in the educational process through the use of targeted, therapeutic activities, adaptation of the student’s environment and training and consultation with staff and families.
Occupational therapy services are intended to target specific areas of difficulty related to educational access. They are short term designated instructional services and are not intended to be ongoing for the duration of the student’s education.
who we are
who we are
who we are
Occupational therapy practitioners are occupational therapists (OTs) and certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) who use meaningful activities (occupations) to help children and youth access and participate in their education. OT’s and COTA’s are not credentialed teachers. They have graduated from an accredited program, passed a National Certification Examination and are licensed through the California Board of Occupational Therapy.
who we serve
who we serve
who we serve
Butte County Office of Education’s Occupational Therapy department serves students TK through 12th grade. A student must be eligible for Special Education before OT can be an added service.
what we do
what we do
what we do
Occupational therapists assess the child’s strengths and needs (foundational components) that support or limit his/her participation at school and access to the curriculum in order to determine if the child is able to successfully participate in their educational program.
Occupational Therapy provides:
- Assessments and student program planning
- Direct one-on-one therapy
- Indirect, consultative services
- Teacher, staff and parent training sessions
- Collaboration with all service providers
School based occupational therapy enhances the child’s ability to function within the educational environment. Occupational Therapists and OccupationalTherapy Assistants address the child’s physical and sensory needs, as well as environmental factors and activities that support or limit participation at school and access to their curriculum. The areas addressed by schoolbased occupational therapy must directly relate to the child’s performance within their school setting (campus, classroom, playground, cafeteria, bathroom and library).
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is school based occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy in schools is a related service that addresses functional skills in the educational environment such
as:
as:
- Hand function
- Visual skills
- Handwriting
- Keyboarding
- Sensory awareness
- Self care skills
- Pre-vocational tasks
Once it is determined the student will receive Occupational Therapy, what will happen next?
- Occupational therapy services may be delivered either on an individual or group basis.
- Occupational therapy may be provided as a direct service where the therapist has direct, face-to-face contact with the student or as an indirect service where the therapist provides consultation services to other staff members or parents who interact with the student.
- All Occupational therapy services are determined by the IEP team based on assessment of student need.
- Occupational therapy services may be provided: in the classroom, a therapy room, playground, cafeteria, or other location.
