Occupational Therapy

Purpose

Occupational Therapy is a health care profession concerned with a student's ability to perform daily occupations, including self-care, productive and leisure activities.  School-Age Occupational Therapists work with school teams to help children who have been challenged by developmental difficulties, injury or disease. The primary goal is to encourage development, function and participation in everyday life at school.

Description of Service

The School-Age Occupational Therapy Program is available for all children age 5-19 years who live in the Quesnel and District (including Wells and Nazko) school catchment who are experiencing difficulty participating in daily occupations.  The Resource Teacher is the primary link between the Occupational Therapist and service delivery in the school. Services are based on a consultation model, which means that programs for children are designed by the Occupational Therapist and carried out by the classroom teachers, resource teachers, education assistants, and/or parents.  Service may consist of: observation, formal and informal assessment, support for equipment and technology, training, developing program suggestions for school, home, and/or daycare, and attending team meetings.

Access to Services

Referrals to the School-Age Occupational Therapy Program are through the School-Based Team and are prioritized on the whole needs of the community.  Children may be discharged if they meet their individual goals, if the child's needs are being met by other supports in place, or if the family no longer desires service.  Once a child is discharged from School-Age Occupational Therapy services, they may be re-referred by the School-Based Team at any time.