Your School OT Bestie
Empowering school-based Occupational Therapists with practical resources and guidance
My career advice for school-based Occupational Therapists is rooted in the daily realities of the role: efficiency, confidence, and impactful intervention. I guide OTs through effective caseload management, streamline documentation processes, and offer proven strategies for navigating school dynamics. My goal is to empower you to excel in your profession, fostering strong collaborations with teachers and parents, and ultimately ensuring every student receives the best possible support, making your valuable work both sustainable and deeply rewarding.
At YourSchoolOTBestie, I provide a comprehensive suite of practical, ready-to-use resources specifically designed for the demands of the in-person school-based OT. From printable fine motor activity cards and engaging sensory strategy guides to editable IEP goal banks and efficient documentation templates, every resource is crafted to save you precious planning time and boost your confidence in therapy sessions. My aim is to equip you with the tangible tools you need to deliver impactful interventions and streamline your daily practice, ensuring you have the support of your ultimate OT bestie.
I started YourSchoolOTBestie because, quite simply, I was that new school-based OT who felt completely lost. Navigating caseloads, mastering documentation, and designing effective in-person interventions while still learning the school system felt overwhelming at times, leading to moments of genuine frustration and exhaustion. My own journey through those early years fueled a deep desire to prevent other dedicated OTs from experiencing that same sense of isolation and, ultimately, to combat the pervasive risk of burnout. YourSchoolOTBestie is built from that experience—it’s the supportive resource and understanding “bestie” I desperately wished I had.
Unlocking Skills: Why Decoding Worksheets are a School OT’s Favorite Therapy Worksheet
Hey there, Bestie! Let's talk about a super effective tool that might already be in your bag, or quickly added to your toolkit: decoding worksheets. Now, I'm not talking about phonics! As school-based Occupational Therapists, when we talk about "decoding" worksheets,...
50 School Occupational Therapy Accommodations for IEPs
As a school-based Occupational Therapist, understanding and recommending appropriate accommodations is a large part of ensuring a student's access to their education. Accommodations are changes to how a student learns or demonstrates knowledge, without changing what...
Autumn Playdough Mats: Your Go To Mats for Fall Fine Motor Fun
The leaves are turning, there's a crispness in the air, and pumpkin spice is WAIT.... well not quite yet because I am writing this in August for all those lovelies searching for autumn and fall activities for their littles. Autumn is a magical time for me, and it's...
Streamlining Your School Days: The School-Based OT Documentation Template(s) You Need
Okay, let's be real for a minute. You spend your days doing amazing things—you're a sensory-bin-building, fine-motor-finessing, self-regulation-superstar. You deserve to leave work and leave work at work. But then there’s that looming stack of session notes, IEP...
The Magic of a Calm Down Corner: Why Every School and Home Needs One
As a School-based Occupational Therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how big feelings can completely ruin a child’s day. A moment of frustration over a failed block tower or a burst of anger after a disagreement with a friend can quickly escalate, leaving both kids and...
Best Playdough Creations for Back-to-School Readiness
I know as a parent or as a school based occupational therapist you don't want to hear the summer sun is setting, and the buzz of "back to school" is getting spread like wild fire. While you're busy with school supply lists or restocking your OT supplies and new...
School-Based OT: Understanding the Differences Between Contract and District Employment
The world of school-based occupational therapy offers incredible opportunities to make a profound impact on students' lives. As you explore these opportunities, you'll often encounter two primary employment models like I did in my career: district employee and...
Playdough Power: Fun Activities for Grasp & Fine Motor Development in School-Based OT
Playdough is more than just a fun material; it's a powerhouse tool for Occupational Therapists in the school setting! Its malleable nature provides endless opportunities to target crucial fine motor skills, hand strengthening, and grasp development in an engaging,...
Your School OT Shopping List: Essential Supplies for Every School-Based Occupational Therapist
As a school-based Occupational Therapist, you don't always have a therapy room or office for that matter. It's often a shared space within a classroom, a hallway, the stage in the gym, or even a quiet spot on the playground. This type of environment means that having...
Medical Model & Educational Model in OT: Discovering the Important Difference in School-Based Occupational Therapy
In Occupational Therapy school you were trained to help people participate in the activities that are most meaningful and important to them. But where that therapy takes place, and the underlying framework guiding it, can significantly change your role, goals, and...