Welcome to the Occupational Therapy Webpage at the H. Olive Day School Norfolk,MA Mrs. Colleen Whiting Occupational Therapist, works Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays What is an Occupational Therapist? Occupational Therapy (OT) is an applied science and health profession that provides skilled treatment to help individuals develop, regain or maintain the skills necessary to participate in all facets of their lives. OT gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for living meaningful and satisfying lives. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Occupational Therapy Practitioners Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the physical, affective, cognitive and environmental components of illness and injury. As of 2007, most registered occupational therapists (OTR) practicing in the field today possess a Masters (M.S) or Doctoral degree (OTD). A certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) generally earns an associate degree. Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination (NBCOT or National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy). Most U.S. states also regulate occupational therapy practice (OT's must possess a license within their state). Information from the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. 5/05 What is the role of the Occupational Therapist in the school? The occupational therapist works on the acquisition of/or compensations for deficits in fine motor skills, sensory motor skills, visual motor, and visual perceptual skills, and level of sensory integration. More specifically, occupational therapists work with students on foundation skills needed for school participation through task analysis, individually selected motor activities, and consultation with team members to modify the environment, the instructional methodology or to support student achievement on a particular class project. The O.T. reports directly to the Director of Student Support Services and Building Principal. Games using the following materials can encourage hand development: play dough tearing newspapers plant sprayers tweezers dice games lacing activities colored water in eye droppers tissue paper pictures coins and buttons wind up toys cooking activities |
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