Occupational Therapy
Barnum School is committed to facilitating the development of young children. Occupational therapy is just one part of Barnum’s educational team, which serves children in pre-school and kindergarten.
The purpose of this site is to provide general information on child development, school-based occupational therapy, and easy-to-try strategies you can use at home to help your child gain independence.
About Michelle Torres
Hi! My name is Michelle Torres, and I am the Occupational Therapist at Barnum School. I graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2000 with honors, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and a minor in Spanish Language/Literature. I began my professional career working in Birth to Three. In 2002, I decided to change settings and began working for ACES, providing school-based therapy within public schools. I also have experience working in an outpatient clinic with a focus on sensory integration and manual therapy. I am a lifelong learner, committed to gaining knowledge and experience, which I use to help my students achieve success.
What is school-based OT?
School-based OT is quite different than medically-based therapy. Within the school setting, OT is provided to children who qualify as a related service to special education. This means that a child must be receiving special education services in order to receive OT.
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- OT may also be provided to a child with a 504 Accommodation Plan.
- OT in school is designed to help children gain independence in their ‘occupation’ as a student.
- The sole focus of school-based OT is on the student’s ability to complete curriculum-based activities.
- For a student to receive OT, they must present with a deficit which directly impacts their ability to access and/or participate in their educational program.
- View the complete State Department of Education Guidelines for Occupational Therapy in Educational Settings