About me...I moved to from Michigan to Colorado 10 years ago to attend the Occupational Therapy program here in Fort Collins. I have not left the area since and continue to enjoy my professional and personal lifestyle in a well supported and energetic community. I have been an OT in the surrounding school districts for 6 years, including the past 2 in PSD. I also spend my time providing therapy on horseback and work with a team at the CSU Equine Center and Hearts and Horses doing Hippotherapy. I love spending time with others, including being outdoors with husband and 2 dogs.
Colorado Department of Education (CDE) definition
An occupational therapist is a trained health professional that uses purposeful,
goal directed activities and task analysis to enable a child with a disability
to benefit from their individualized education program (IEP). Federal law
mandates that occupational therapy (OT) in the school system be educationally
relevant. The focus of OT services in a school setting is to promote functional
independence or participation within the educational environment. Educational
occupational therapy services are those services developed by educational
personnel and the family and authorized in a student's IEP. OT services may be
delivered directly to the child, on behalf of the child (consultation with parents and teachers) or through modifications and support for school personnel
that will be provided for the child (inservice training). The IEP team may determine that the student does not require occupational therapy through the
educational program. Occupational therapy services are not intended to satisfy the medical needs of a student and therefore may not meet the total therapy
needs of the student. However, the student's family may wish to pursue therapy services outside the educational setting.
In a school setting the OT may be involved by facilitating any or all of the following areas that may interfere with a child's educational performance:
goal directed activities and task analysis to enable a child with a disability
to benefit from their individualized education program (IEP). Federal law
mandates that occupational therapy (OT) in the school system be educationally
relevant. The focus of OT services in a school setting is to promote functional
independence or participation within the educational environment. Educational
occupational therapy services are those services developed by educational
personnel and the family and authorized in a student's IEP. OT services may be
delivered directly to the child, on behalf of the child (consultation with parents and teachers) or through modifications and support for school personnel
that will be provided for the child (inservice training). The IEP team may determine that the student does not require occupational therapy through the
educational program. Occupational therapy services are not intended to satisfy the medical needs of a student and therefore may not meet the total therapy
needs of the student. However, the student's family may wish to pursue therapy services outside the educational setting.
In a school setting the OT may be involved by facilitating any or all of the following areas that may interfere with a child's educational performance:
- self-help skills (feeding, dressing, hygiene)
- fine, gross and visual motor skills
- sensory processing and visual processing skills
- positioning, functional mobility and transitions
- functional communication through alternative methods
- adaptive devices/equipment & using educational
tools/toys