School-Based Occupational Therapy for Students with Behavioral Disorders

Abstract

Although occupational therapists are employed in large numbers by public schools, their services are limited to students whose handicapping conditions are primarily physiological. Students with behavioral disorders are rarely referred to occupational therapy. This article synthesizes education, psychology and occupational therapy literature to identify the essential constructs of a holistic intervention for the student with a behavioral disorder. A model program based on the concept of occupational activity illustrates implementation.

Caminhos históricos da regulamentação dos school-based occupational therapists nos Estados Unidos da América

“…Thus, the author shows a model program -"model for occupational activity grouping" (p.184) -, which intended to be holistic, aimed at students with behavioral disorders, based on literature from education, psychology, and occupational therapy, taking the concept of "Occupational activity". Schultz (1992) related this underuse of occupational therapy services for this people to three main factors: the submission of the category to the medical model, a general confusion surrounding the role of these professionals in schools and the inadequate understanding (of special educators, managers, and the category) on how occupational therapists can contribute to the educational needs of students with "behavioral disorders".…”