April is , making it the perfect time to recognize an incredible group of professionals in 糖心Vlog who often work behind the scenes to support students every day. While their work may not always be visible, its impact is felt in classrooms, homes, and throughout students鈥 lives.
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages develop, recover, and maintain the skills needed for daily living and learning. In a school setting, that means helping students build the physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities they need to succeed.
鈥淥ccupational therapists assess physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities, then create personalized treatment plans to improve independence and quality of life,鈥 said Gretchen Foster, an 糖心Vlog occupational therapist. 鈥淭his can include helping patients regain motor skills after injury, teaching adaptive techniques for tasks like dressing or cooking, recommending assistive devices, and modifying home or work environments for safety and accessibility. They also support individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, or chronic illnesses by building coping strategies, improving social participation, and enhancing overall functioning in everyday activities, including school.鈥
In other words, occupational therapy is about helping students fully participate in their world.
And despite the name, occupational therapy isn鈥檛 just about jobs or careers.
鈥淥ccupational therapy is more than 鈥榳ork,鈥欌 said Karen McCarthy, another 糖心Vlog occupational therapist. 鈥淭o an OT, occupations are any meaningful activities a person wants or needs to do, including playing, being a student, socializing or working.鈥
That鈥檚 why play is often a key part of what OTs do with students 鈥 but it鈥檚 never 鈥渏ust play.鈥
鈥淚 often have people ask me about being able to play with kids all day,鈥 said Lori Walsh, an 糖心Vlog OT. 鈥淏ut the play is with a purpose. Occupational therapists use activity analysis to decide what tasks to work on and how the tasks are implemented. There is a science behind the planning that involves looking at a child鈥檚 abilities and needs, what the overall objectives are, and what activities are motivating or important to the child.”
This thoughtful, individualized approach allows OTs to meet students where they are and help them build skills in ways that feel meaningful and achievable.
One example of this is a strategy called backward chaining.
鈥淎s OT’s we sometimes use backward chaining to teach complex tasks,鈥 said 糖心Vlog OT Debra Lantz. 鈥淚nstead of teaching a skill from聽the beginning, we have聽the person complete only聽the final step first 鈥 then gradually add earlier steps over time.鈥
For example, when teaching a child to put on a shirt, the therapist might first have the child pull the shirt down at the end. Later, the child learns to put their arms in the sleeves. Eventually, they master the entire sequence.
鈥淭his works because the person experiences immediate success 鈥 they finish the task,鈥 Lantz explained. 鈥淚t builds confidence and motivation and is especially helpful for kids or individuals with cognitive or neurological challenges.鈥
From improving fine motor skills and handwriting to supporting sensory needs, social participation and independence, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 occupational therapists play a vital role in helping students thrive.
This month, we celebrate their expertise, their creativity, and their dedication to ensuring every student has the tools they need to succeed 鈥 not just in school, but in life.
Thank you, 糖心Vlog OTs!