Collaborative Occupational Therapy Practices in Educational Settings

Collaborative occupational therapy in educational settings has evolved from a largely individualised, clinic-based discipline to an integrated, school-based practice that emphasises partnership with educators, pupils and families. Practitioners now work alongside teaching staff to co-develop interventions that target motor skills, sensory regulation, daily living activities and environmental adaptations for all pupils. These collaborative models feature tiered levels of intensity, ranging from universal strategies implemented at the classroom level to targeted group sessions and one-to-one support. Embedding therapists within school health teams fosters interprofessional communication, shared goal-setting and continuous capacity building among teachers. International experience demonstrates that such partnerships enhance pupil engagement, participation and academic performance, and contribute to more inclusive learning environments. Practical applications include classroom modifications, teacher education on evidence-based approaches and co-constructed peer support strategies. This body of work underscores the global shift towards inclusive education frameworks that view occupational therapists as vital contributors to whole-school wellbeing and educational equity.

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Collaborative Occupational Therapy Practices in Educational Settings publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in collaborative occupational therapy practices in educational settings across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Inclusive education: An approach that ensures all pupils, regardless of ability or disability, can fully participate in mainstream classrooms and school activities.

Tiered service delivery model: A framework offering graduated levels of intervention intensity—from universal class-wide strategies to targeted group support and individual therapy—based on pupil needs.

Embedded service delivery: A model in which occupational therapists are placed within the school’s daily routines and staff teams to facilitate ongoing collaboration and contextualised intervention.

Interprofessional collaboration: A cooperative practice involving continuous communication and shared decision-making among professionals from different disciplines to achieve common educational and health objectives.

References

1. Partnering for Change: collaborating to transform occupational therapy services that support inclusive education. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
2. From individual to inclusive: exploring the spectrum of service delivery models in occupational therapist—teacher collaborations. The Australian Educational Researcher (2024).
3. Feasibility of Partnering for Change (P4C) to create inclusive learning environments in Swedish compulsory schools. European Journal of Special Needs Education (2024).