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*      Humans are occupational human beings;

*      Every person is unique;

*      Every person has intrinsic dignity and worth;

*      Every person has the right to make choices about life;

*      Every person has the right to self-determination;

*      People have some ability to participate in occupations;

*      People have some potential to change;

*      People are social and spiritual beings;

*      People have diverse abilities for participating in occupations;

*      People shape and are shaped by their environments.

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Are the professional services available in the school board you are affiliated with?

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Are the professional services available in the school board you are affiliated with?

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In the fall, I will be an occasional teacher for the Rainbow District School Board in Sudbury, Ontario. While reviewing their Special Education Plan, I became aware that occupational therapy is available to the students in these schools. Through a plan called the ‘Simulated Healthy Independent Living Opportunities,’ students with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 17 to 21 participate in activities that promote functional independence, an active lifestyle and community participation. Along with many other assistance offered, these students benefit from weekly meetings with a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist. It is great to have learned about occupational therapy, and then to see how it is being implemented in schools in my own community!

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What types of services are provided by Occupational Therapists

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What types of services are provided by Occupational Therapists

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Occupational therapists can help you to solve your problems by:

-->    Helping you to overcome your disability by:

-       showing you how you can use the abilities you have to do things

-       teaching you new activities to improve or maintain the abilities you have
or need help improving

-->    Adapting the materials you are using by:

-       changing things you use around the house

-       changing things you use for sport and leisure

-       changing things you use at work or school

-       changing things you use to care for yourself

-       changing things you use to get from place to place

-->    Recommending changes to the environment of your occupation by:

-       changing the physical layout of your work, home or school

-       helping you find out about support in your community

-       helping you work with others in your community

-       working with the government to encourage healthy life habits

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How do Occupational Therapists help students?

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How do Occupational Therapists help students?

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What is the goal of occupational therapy in the school system? It is to maximize the occupational performance of students with special needs. The occupational performance of a child can be impaired by physical, developmental, sensory, attentional and/or learning challenges.

Occupational therapist help students in the classroom by:

>     improving performance of tasks and activities

>     ensuring there is a match between the student’s abilities
and the expectations placed upon them

>     recommending task adaptations, modifications and
assistive devices

providing therapy for motor coordination, visual-motor
coordination, and visual perceptual skills

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“Occupational therapists are university-trained, regulated health professionals whose unique training enables them to understand not only the medical and physical limitations of a disability or injury, but also the psycho-social factors that affect an individual’s ability to function independently.”
- Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy

When individuals receive occupational therapy, it can help them to solve problems that are interfering with the daily activities in their lives. If an injury, illness, or disability is restricting a person’s ability to take care of themselves, participate in their job or school, or their ability to enjoy leisure activities, they may seek occupational therapy.