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Occupational Therapy Services
What is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists assess children and students from birth to age 26. Their main focus is helping students participate in daily educational activities such as self-help, hand-eye coordination, sensory needs, and fine motor skills. Occupational therapists may give suggestions to parents to help them work on school skills at home. In addition, they provide consultation and professional development to help local teachers make classroom adaptations for these students. Occupational therapists may address medical issues that affect a student's physical performance at school, but they do not make medical diagnoses. Since 2006, they have been required to have a master's degree in occupational therapy, a license from the State of Michigan, and may be registered nationally.
What is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant?
Certified occupational therapist assistants work under the guidance of an occupational therapist to serve special education students from birth to age 26 who have difficulty with self-help, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Certified occupational therapist assistants give suggestions to help parents work with their children at home, and consult with local school staff to develop plans to help students in the classroom. They are required to have an Associate of Applied Science Degree, licensed through the State of Michigan, and may be registered nationally.