School-Based OT/PT 101 Foundations:
From Caseload Survival to Educationally Relevant Practice
Part 1: Primer for OTPs / PTs Entering School-Based Practice ~ 2 Hours
This introductory course prepares occupational therapy practitioners who are new to school-based practice or transitioning from medical, outpatient, or pediatric clinic settings. Participants will learn the role of OT/PT in schools, the difference between medical and educational models, workload versus caseload thinking, service delivery options, documentation expectations, and how to avoid being reduced to “the handwriting therapist.
” Current evidence supports expanding school-based OT/PT toward participation, inclusion, transition support, MTSS, and embedded collaborative models.
” Current evidence supports expanding school-based OT/PT toward participation, inclusion, transition support, MTSS, and embedded collaborative models.
Learning objectives:
By the end of Part 1, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the role of a school-based OT/ PT and the importance of transitioning from medical and clinic-based models.
2. Explain school-based OT/PT service delivery models, including direct, consultative, push-in, pull-out, and MTSS approaches.
3. List 3 evidence-based strategies to set-up and provide school-based services.
By the end of Part 1, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the role of a school-based OT/ PT and the importance of transitioning from medical and clinic-based models.
2. Explain school-based OT/PT service delivery models, including direct, consultative, push-in, pull-out, and MTSS approaches.
3. List 3 evidence-based strategies to set-up and provide school-based services.
To enroll, take the quiz, and earn the certificate, you must purchase the course.
Course Lessons – Click on the first lesson below to get started :
References
1. American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021). Occupational therapy in school settings. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(Suppl. 2), 7512410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.75S2001
2. American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023). Workload approaches in school-based occupational therapy. https://www.aota.org
3. Cahill, S. M., & Beisbier, S. (2020).Occupational therapy practice guidelines for children and youth ages 5–21 years. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(2), 7402397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.742001
4. Every Student Succeeds Act, 20 U.S.C. § 6301 (2015).
5. Hintz, L., Maas, M., Bliss, L., & Pizarro, E. (2024).Integrating occupational therapy into a multi-tiered system of supports in schools. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2024.2315577
6. Fyffe, C. (2025). Embedding occupational therapy services within classroom routines to improve participation. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention.
7. Jeremy, R. (2025). Collaborative practices in school-based occupational therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy.
8. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. (2017). Multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework. https://www.ed.gov
9. Fyffe, L. (2025). Occupational therapy embedded in early childhood education (OTEEC): Developing a population-focused, place-based approach to early intervention through occupational therapy and early childhood education center partnerships. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2024.2442915
10. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004).
11. American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S200112. American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021). Occupational therapy in school settings. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(Suppl. 2), 7512410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.75S2001
13. American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023).Workload approaches in school-based occupational therapy. https://www.aota.org
14. Jeremy, R. (2025). Collaborative practices in school-based occupational therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy.
15. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. (2017).
16. Multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework. https://www.ed.gov
17. Case-Smith, J., Weaver, L., & Fristad, M. (2015). A systematic review of sensory processing interventions. AJOT
18. Schaaf, R. C., et al. (2018). Efficacy of Ayres Sensory Integration®. AJOT
19. Graziano, P. A., et al. (2020). Fidget use and attention in classroom settings.
20. Fedewa, A. L., & Erwin, H. E. (2011). Stability balls and classroom behavior.
21. Case-Smith, J., Holland, T., & Bishop, B. (2012). Effectiveness of handwriting interventions for elementary-aged children: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(3), 312–324.
22. Hoy, M. M., Egan, M. Y., & Feder, K. P. (2011). A systematic review of interventions to improve handwriting. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(1), 13–25.
23. Rintala, P., Chiarello, L. A., Palisano, R. J., & Effgen, S. K. (2021). School-based pediatric physical therapists: A national survey of roles, services, and perceptions.
Pediatric Physical Therapy, 33(3), 183–192. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000865
24. American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. (2020). Physical therapists’ role in school-based practice. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 32(3), 243–250. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000721
25. Effgen, S. K., Chiarello, L. A., Milbourne, S. A., & McEwen, I. R. (2022). School-based physical therapy services: Supporting participation and educational access for children with disabilities. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 42(5), 503–517. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2021.1969890
26. McEwen, I. R., & Shelden, M. L. (2021). Participation-focused school-based physical therapy for students with disabilities. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 33(4), 210–217. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000814
27. Kaminker, M. K., Chiarello, L. A., O’Neil, M. E., & Palisano, R. J. (2023). Collaborative school-based physical therapy practices supporting student participation. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 16(2), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.3233/PRM-220017
28. An, M., Palisano, R. J., & Chiarello, L. A. (2020). Family and school collaboration in school-based physical therapy services. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(24),
3497–3505. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1597186
29. Murphy, N. A., Carbone, P. S., & Council on Children With Disabilities. (2021). Promoting participation of children with disabilities in school-based environments. Pediatrics, 147(2), e2020049438. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-04943830. Pierce, S. R., Spence, A. L., Sakemiller, L. M., & Roberts, J. E. (2021). Transition readiness and school participation services for adolescents with disabilities. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 14(4), 447–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2021.1909092
31. Chiarello, L. A., Effgen, S. K., & Palisano, R. J. (2024). School-based physical therapy and participation-focused intervention planning. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 36(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000001042
32. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004).American Physical Therapy Association. (2020). Guide to physical therapist practice in educational settings. American Physical Therapy Association.
33. American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. (2020). Physical therapists’ role in school-based practice. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 32(3), 243–250. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000721
34. Effgen, S. K., Chiarello, L. A., Milbourne, S. A., & McEwen, I. R. (2022). School-based physical therapy services: Supporting participation and educational access for children with disabilities. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 42(5), 503–517. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2021.1969890
35. McEwen, I. R., & Shelden, M. L. (2021). Participation-focused school-based physical therapy for students with disabilities. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 33(4), 210–217. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000814
36. Kaminker, M. K., Chiarello, L. A., O’Neil, M. E., & Palisano, R. J. (2023). Collaborative school-based physical therapy practices supporting student participation. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 16(2), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.3233/PRM-220017
37. An, M., Palisano, R. J., & Chiarello, L. A. (2020). Family and school collaboration in school-based physical therapy services. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(24),
3497–3505. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1597186
38. Murphy, N. A., Carbone, P. S., & Council on Children With Disabilities. (2021). Promoting participation of children with disabilities in school-based environments. Pediatrics, 147(2), e2020049438. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-049438
39. Pierce, S. R., Spence, A. L., Sakemiller, L. M., & Roberts, J. E. (2021). Transition readiness and school participation services for adolescents with disabilities. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 14(4), 447–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2021.1909092
40. Chiarello, L. A., Effgen, S. K., & Palisano, R. J. (2024). School-based physical therapy and participation-focused intervention planning. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 36(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000001042
41. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004).American Physical Therapy Association. (2020). Guide to physical therapist practice in educational settings. American Physical Therapy Association.
42. Effgen, S. K., & McEwen, I. R. (2021). School-based physical therapy: Supporting participation and educational access. Journal of Pediatric Physical Therapy, 33(4), 211–218.43. Kaminker, M. K., Effgen, S. K., & School-Based Physical Therapy Special Interest Group. (2022). Collaborative practices in school-based physical therapy. Journal of Pediatric Physical Therapy, 34(2), 85–92.
44. Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. (2023). School-based physical therapy: Best practice resources. American Physical Therapy Association.
45. Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. (2024). School-based physical therapy practice guidance and fact sheets. American Physical Therapy Association.