The Practice of Occupational Therapy as a Related Service for Students With Behavioral Disorder: An Exploratory Study

• Main Author: Schultz, Sally Wise
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 1991
• Subjects: behavior disorders in children; occupational therapy; occupational therapy for children; counseling in elementary education; Occupational therapy services > United States.; Occupational therapy for children > United States.; Behavior disorders in children > United States.; Counseling in elementary education > United States.; Problem children > Mental health services > United States.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc332494/

Although the profession of occupational therapy had its origins in the treatment of the mentally ill, and was among the pioneers in developing community-based programs to meet the social and emotional needs of children, a study of 28 therapists practicing in the public schools revealed that these occupational therapists did not serve students with behavioral disorders unless they also exhibited a neurological disorder. The results of this study revealed that occupational therapy is not recognized by the educational sector as an essential related service for students with behavioral disorders. Occupational therapy is viewed as a modality much akin to physical therapy in which the focus is on motor skill development.