Occupational therapy can support transition for families
and children with and without disabilities in order
to help children grow and learn to be as independent as
possible.
Occupational therapy practitioners promote students'
functional abilities and participation in daily routines.
Occupational therapy helps children and youth function
optimally and thus can be of great importance in
successful transitioning. Occupational therapists can
evaluate children's performance of school-related tasks
and support student engagement by modifying tasks or
the environment.
Occupational therapy helps individuals to "live life
to its fullest." For children, that means successfully
moving from early intervention to school services, and
moving from school to adult life. (See Table 1.)
Occupational therapy is a primary service in early
intervention and a related service in special education.
Occupational therapy practitioners can be part of the
transition team and have specialized knowledge and
skills to:
Support positive transition outcomes for students during
early childhood transitions.
Support positive transition outcomes for students during
high school transitions.
Occupational therapy can support successful transition
to adult roles.
