How do you explain to parents the difference between OT services provided in school and OT provided in other types of settings?
It is important for the occupational therapist working in the public schools to be able to clearly articulate his or her role, as well as the differences between the public school OT and the community OT. Developing a brochure or handout for parents to help them to better understand these differences can be an effective strategy and can reinforce what has been explained to them verbally. Any explanation should include the role of OT as a related service provider in providing services (only) when necessary for the student to participate and progress in his or her educational setting. It can be effective to explain to the parent that their child is in school to get an education, not to get therapy. Given this, the educator (teacher) is the primary service provider and OT is a support (related) service that is only provided when necessary for the child to get an education. The school-based OT has a narrower role than an OT in another setting might have because the school OT only and speci
