Occupational Therapy Research Paper

1047 Words3 Pages

I. Introduction
School-based occupational therapy practitioners seek to improve the function of students in the educational environment by facilitating educational goals and social participation through the promotion of increased independence in all the routines of students. Occupational therapy practitioners have an underutilized skill set within the school-based setting due to the limited understanding of the profession and limitations of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as a related service. In many cases, occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are utilized to remediate handwriting and regulate the sensory system of students with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) when health promotion, ergonomics, grading motor …show more content…

There are also some questions that might be answered by this study including what are the areas wherein utilization of skills of the OT practitioners lacks and how satisfied the practitioners are once in school-based setting.
Background of the Topic
In 1975, thousands of occupational therapy practitioners were hired by local schools due to the Educational for all Handicapped Children Act (94-11), to allow disabled children to participate in the school environment. Since then, other legislation, including Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), have further defined the role of occupational therapy as a non-qualifying, related service.
Public schools play an important role in the profession of occupational therapy. Public schools are the second largest employers of occupational therapy …show more content…

IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act, law protecting students with disabilities, ensuring that they receive a free, appropriate public education
Summary
Occupational therapy practitioners play an important role in the school life of a student with a recognized disability. OT practitioners are responsible for remediating and accommodating skills that will lead to greater function in the classroom. This study will evaluate the role of the occupational therapy practitioner, the common disabilities, satisfaction of the OT practitioner and challenges in the school-based setting.
With almost number of things that occupational therapy and its practitioners to offer it is indeed important that these professionals should not be underutilized in a certain school environment. With things or benefits that they could offer to the children of a certain school-based setting the importance of these professionals is beyond their profession. This study would show readers the benefits of OT practitioners therefore realizing their importance in the school

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