About this episode

This episode provides essential insights for new school-based occupational therapists, covering IEPs, 504 plans, and effective collaboration in educational settings.

Starting your first school-based OT job can feel overwhelming. Between IEP meetings, evaluations, accommodations, and the endless acronyms, it can be hard to know where to start. In this episode, we break down the basics of school-based occupational therapy. Amanda shares what she wishes every new school-based OT knew before walking into their first IEP meeting, explains the differences between IEPs, 504 plans, and MTSS, and offers practical tips for collaborating with teachers, administrators, and the rest of the educational team. We'll also discuss how school-based OT differs from clinic-based practice, why goals need to be educationally relevant, what consultative services actually look like, and how to feel more confident advocating for students while working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Whether you're a new graduate, transitioning into the schools, or just curious about how school-based OT works, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you feel more prepared. Links We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Sensory Strategies for the Classroom Course…

People in this episode

Host: Rachel Harrington

Guest: Amanda

Topics covered

• school-based occupational therapy
• IEPs
• 504 plans
• collaboration with teachers
• educational goals
• multidisciplinary team

Keywords

• occupational therapy
• IEP meetings
• accommodations
• educational relevance
• consultative services
• multidisciplinary team

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harkla

Products: Sensory Strategies for the Classroom Course, Classroom Sensory Kits, Slant Board for Writing, Loop Scissors

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