Perceptions of Faculty Members in Special Education concerning Occupational Therapy Services in Schools: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This study examines the perceptions of special educators concerning the provision of occupational therapy as a related service in school systems. Four faculty members, affiliated with two universities, revealed in interviews that they have limited understanding of the role of occupational therapy in the educational setting and that they are concerned about fragmentation in the field of special education, The educators' inability to understand the specific contribution occupational therapy can make toward increasing a student's ability to benefit from special education and the lack of communication between educators and therapists can affect the provision of occupational therapy in schools. It appears that therapists will have to take the initiative in communicating with educators because they have not sought this information for themselves.