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Student
services
Occupational Therapy
Occupational
therapy (OT) is an important support service for many
students in special education. The Clovis School District
employs 4 registered occupational therapists, and 4
certified occupational therapy assistants. Each school
therapist works with students with a variety of needs.
OT's work on postural control for good sitting posture,
fine motor skills to develop the student's use of hands,
and visual motor skills to develop eye-hand coordination
for better handwriting in school.
OT's
also provide sensory stimulation programs to improve the student's
body awareness and behavioral organization for better ability
to pay attention and sit still. Another innovative technique
used by OT's is the therapeutic listening program, which integrates
the auditory system with the other body systems of movement,
position, space, and vision, to enhance self-regulation, language,
speech, reading, and other academics. Any special education
student who has difficulties in the areas of handwriting,
cutting, attention, activity level, use of arms and hands,
or self-care may be referred for an OT screening. The OT screening
will determine the need for OT evaluation. If an evaluation
is necessary, the registered occupational therapist will evaluate
the child to determine the need and eligibility for OT services.
OT can only be provided as a part of the IEP (Individualized
Education Program) after an evaluation has been completed. |
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