Occupational Therapy Intervention With Children in School Systems

Mitchell was identified as a child who needed related services—that is, counseling and occupational therapy—to help him achieve success in the classroom. The provision of these services in the school setting played an important role in keeping Mitchell in his special education classroom and out of a more restrictive residential living situation.

The regulatory language of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act promotes intervention for children who are in need of services. Historically, emotionally or behaviorally disordered children have not received needed services or resources to help them cope with environmental demands. Occupational therapists can provide assessment, intervention, and consultation to help keep a child in the least restrictive classroom and living situation and to help the child achieve a better quality of life through successful participation in normal school and community activities.