Blog

Writing is one of the most complex academic skills students must master, requiring the seamless integration of cognitive, linguistic, and motor abilities. For some students, writing difficulties can create significant barriers to academic success and self-expression. However, when professionals in education and allied health work together as a cohesive team, they can work with students to address every facet of the writing process—from the initial spark of an idea to the final letters formed on paper.

In recent decades, an increasing number of children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the U.S. According to the latest CDC data, the number of 8-year-olds identified with ASD is about 1 in 31. However, as discussed on a recent episode of our podcast, “Healthy Minds, Bright Futures: How to Navigate Mental Health and Build Support,” there is more to that number than meets the eye.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 7 million children in the U.S., and it can be challenging to diagnose due to complex symptom presentation and varying levels of healthcare resources. Diagnosis rates are inconsistent across different geographies, ranging from 6% to 16% across states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As a school-based occupational or physical therapist, you know that time is your most precious resource. Between evaluations, documentation, meetings and direct therapy, your schedule is packed. And as productivity expectations continue to rise, the number of hours in each day remains stubbornly the same!

Here are some practical ways to maximize your valuable time (without compromising quality) by making strategic assessment choices and leveraging the power of digital tools.

There’s been a wake-up call in the educational sector, echoed by society at large, about the growing mental health challenges facing students. More children and adolescents are receiving diagnoses, and more schools are reporting an increase in students seeking mental health services.

As K-12 educators and clinicians come to grips with this reality, there’s been a commensurate sea change in the recognition that timely intervention can make all the difference in a student’s academic and personal trajectory. 

There is no shortage of studies on sensory processing and the interplay between sensory preferences and sensory environments on an individual’s health, well-being, and ability to perform tasks, but the research often fails to reflect lived sensory experiences. The connection between interoception — the perceptions of bodily signals and states — needs to be included in a comprehensive look at a person’s sensory patterns.

Heart rate, blood pressure, pain, hunger, thirst: Our awareness of these internal states is called interoception. It’s been called the “eighth sense,” and it has strong links to the capacity to regulate emotions.

If your district is like most others, you face a two-part challenge that is getting worse:

1. You struggle to find and keep school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and other student services specialists.
2. The number of students who require IEPs and specialized support continues to rise.