From Isolation to Integration: Effective OT in the Natural School Environment
Confidently integrate school-based occupational therapy services into the classroom and collaborate effectively with staff, empowering you as a valued professional as you maximize student outcomes.
Enroll NowStruggling to move beyond pull-out sessions?
Tired of feeling out of place in the classroom?
Frustrated that your role feels disconnected from the rest of the school team?
You've heard about push-in services. Maybe you've read about it or listened to speakers talk about push-in and integrated services being best practice.
You may have even tried to implement it yourself, only to find yourself in a classroom feeling uncomfortable, frustrated, and questioning if you're making any real impact.
When faced with packed schedules, multiple campuses, and staff who may not fully understand your role, the process feels overwhelming.
How do you find the time?
How do you get teachers on board?
How do you bring your services into a classroom without feeling like an outsider?
It's time to remove the uncertainty.
It's time to gain the strategies, tools, and confidence to take realistic steps toward meaningful integration to deliver the most impact as a school-based OT practitioner.
What You'll Learn:
- Key Differences Between the Educational & Medical Models Influencing OT's Role in Schools
- How to Collaborate & Communicate Effectively with Your School Team
- Practical Strategies for Embedding OT in the Classroom & School Routines
- Overcoming Barriers Like Time, Caseload, and Resistance to Change
- Building a Sustainable Plan for Long-Term Success
COURSE OVERVIEW
Introduction
Module 1: Understanding the Educational Model & Your Role in Schools
- The Educational Model
- OT's Role in Schools
- Legal & Ethical Considerations
- The IEP Team
Module 2: Integrating Therapy in Natural School Environments
- Why Integrated Services Matter
- Moving Beyond the Therapy Room
- Embedding OT in Natural Routines
- Case Studies
Module 3: Effective Collaboration & Communication with School Teams
- Making OT Relevant
- Collaborative Goals
- Planning & Recommendations
- Managing Pushback & Making Adjustments
Module 4: Strategies for Providing Meaningful, Functional Support
- Addressing Needs in the Classroom & Beyond
- Supporting Access, Not Adding Work
- Direct & Indirect Methods
- Building Capacity
Module 5: Overcoming Barriers & Sustaining Best Practice
- Time & Caseload Management
- Schools that Resist Change
- Managing Multiple Campuses
- Addressing Student Resistance
Module 6: Start to Finish, Walking through an Integrated Approach
- Evaluation
- Recommendations
- Intervention & Discharge
- Case Study Example
Closing & Final Assessment
Who is this course for?
What is the Community feature?
How long does the course take to complete?
What accommodations can be provided for this course?
Will I get CEUs?
Are you ready to take the next step toward integrated, meaningful OT services?
ENROLL NOWI'm Jennifer Huff.
I know the challenges of school-based OT firsthand.
Balancing a large caseload, scheduling struggles, and the pressure to “fix” everything can leave you feeling stuck—especially when pushing into the classroom.
The truth? Push-in services don’t have to feel overwhelming or ineffective.
Coming from a clinic setting, I initially struggled with navigating an educational vs a medical model. Once I embraced an integrated approach, not only did I experience freedom from burnout but also a notable shift in my impact (for the better!). Now, I can't imagine doing school-based OT any other way.
This course is designed to help you confidently step into the classroom, overcome common barriers, and make push-in services work—for you, your students, and your school team.
Together, let's turn push-in from intimidating to indispensable!
