Occupational Therapy

The OT room at Collier is a hybrid sensory gym/ classroom. The room is centrally located within Collier’s campus in order to be accessible to students from each of Collier’s programs. Student can receive occupational therapy in this room, or they can utilize tools for self-regulation. Examples include: calming deep pressure, or alerting movement activities. 

Occupational therapy (OT) considers the complex relationship between the individual, the activity, and the environment in which the activity takes place. The main goal of occupational therapy is to enhance an individual’s ability to perform everyday tasks to improve their daily life. 

School-based occupational therapy is sometimes included on students’ IEPs. It can assist students to explore strategies to modify, strengthen, and/ or support the skills necessary to be a student. OT helps kids play, improves their access to classwork, and supports their daily activities. We hope being in OT also boosts their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. With OT, kids can: develop fine motor skills, improve eye-hand coordination, work on their perceptual skills, and more. OT can help set up special equipment to help build a student’s independence (this includes adapted seating, personalized routines, and tools to promote focus). OT sometimes works towards educating students on how to get ready to learn by understanding and practicing how they manage signs sent from their nervous system. 

Occupational therapy skills take time to learn, and the skills are solidified with more practice. Consistent occupational therapy routines can greatly increase the physical and cognitive ability of kids and teens, and that is why Collier is proud to have a dedicated occupational therapy team to promote the success of our students.

Collier Occupational Therapy Team: