1. Role of Occupational Therapy in Advancing School Mental Health

2. Occupational Therapy Promotes: Active Participation Engagement in Daily Routines Independent Living Skills

3. Areas of Occupation: Social Participation Work Play Leisure Education Daily Living

4. Occupational Therapy practitioners have unique knowledge and skills in: Task Analysis Modification of Task or Environment …To Enhance School Function

5. Occupational Therapy Supports: All Students, with or without disabilities Children to meet demands of student role Access, participation, and progress in curriculum In collaboration with team including parents

6. Examples of service provision: Early detection through screening Enhance social participation during school routines in cafeteria and playground Professional development for school personnel, for example: psychoeducation Develop strategies to address sensory needs Promote leisure and play skills

7. Examples of service provision: Teaching strategies for organization Promoting self advocacy Identifying learning styles Enhancing ability to manage stress

8. AOTA, Inc. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the professional organization representing the interests of more than 100,000 occupational therapy practitioners.

9. Completed AOTA Activities On SMH: Formed Task Group of Experts Developed FAQ

10. Current AOTA Activities on SMH: Planning SMH presentation for AOTA Conference 2009 Connecting to States Engaging in community work of IDEA Partnership

11. Future AOTA Activities on SMH: Develop: Fact Sheet OT Practice Article Strengthen: Collaboration with multi-disciplinary partners

12. FAQ on School Mental Health

13. Contact: American Occupational Therapy Association 4720 Montgomery Lane PO Box 31220 Bethesda, Maryland 20824-1220 www.aota.org Sandra Schefkind, MS, OTR/L, Pediatric Coordinator sschefkind@aota.org 301-652-2682 ext 2000