As the school year approaches, occupational therapists (OTs) are gearing up to support children in their academic and developmental journeys. Whether you’re a seasoned OT or new to the field, the start of the school year can be stressful. Here are some tips to help you thrive in the school environment:
Before the School Year Begins:
- Review Individual Education Plans (IEPs): Familiarize yourself with the IEPs of the students you’ll be working with, noting their goals, accommodations, and specific needs.
- Connect with Colleagues: Reach out to teachers, special education staff, and other therapists to establish collaboration and communication channels, ensuring a cohesive approach to student support.
- Organize Your Space: Set up your therapy space with essential tools, equipment, and materials, ensuring it’s conducive to therapy sessions and promotes engagement and learning.
- Plan Engaging Activities: Brainstorm creative and age-appropriate activities tailored to address students’ goals while making therapy sessions enjoyable and meaningful.
Tips for Thriving Throughout the School Year:
- Build Rapport with Students: Establish a trusting and positive relationship with students by showing genuine interest, empathy, and respect for their needs and preferences. Let them share information about themselves through coloring and writing exercises. We use this.
- Collaborate with Teachers: Work closely with classroom teachers to integrate therapy goals into daily classroom activities and routines, fostering carryover and generalization of skills.
- Provide Teacher Support: Offer strategies and accommodations to help teachers create inclusive and supportive learning environments for students with diverse needs.
- Stay Flexible and Adapt: Be prepared to adjust your therapy plans and approaches based on the student’s progress, challenges, and evolving needs, embracing flexibility as a key component of effective therapy.
- Engage in Professional Development: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and interventions in occupational therapy through professional development opportunities, workshops, and conferences.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Remember to prioritize your well-being and self-care to prevent burnout and maintain your effectiveness as a therapist. Set boundaries, practice mindfulness, and seek support when needed.
Beginning-of-School-Year Activities for Occupational Therapists:
- Student Assessments: Conduct initial assessments to establish baseline skills and identify areas of strength and need, guiding intervention planning. You can find our OT Screening Tool here.
- Classroom Consultations: Visit classrooms to observe students in their natural environments. While there, assess how they are sitting at their desks. Is the dest high? Do their feet touch the floor?
- Parent Communication: Initiate communication with parents to introduce yourself, discuss therapy goals, and establish open lines of communication for ongoing collaboration and support.
- Create Welcome Materials: Develop welcome packets or presentations to introduce yourself and your role to students, teachers, and parents, helping to foster a sense of community and collaboration.
By implementing these tips and activities, occupational therapists can start the school year on the right foot and establish a foundation for success in supporting children’s growth, development, and well-being throughout the year.
