School-Based OT/PT Foundations 101 – Part 1 Course

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.

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.