OCCUPATIONAL SUPPORT

What do Occupational Therapists do? 

Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with people across their entire lifespan, from infants to older adults, with a range of needs, conditions and goals. 

OTs support individuals to participate in the everyday activities (or occupations) that bring meaning and purpose to life and promote health and wellbeing. We help people build skills, adapt to their environment, or find new ways to engage in meaningful activities. 

These occupations include things we need to do (like self-care, schoolwork, or homework), want to do (such as hobbies, sport, or spending time with friends and family), and are expected to do (like participating in school routines or helping out at home). 

So what do Occupational Therapists do in high schools? 

In high schools, OTs focus on supporting students to participate successfully in learning, social interactions, and play — all of which contribute to their overall wellbeing. 

This can involve: 

• Developing fine motor skills to support handwriting and classroom tasks. 
• Building social and communication skills to promote positive peer relationships. 
• Supporting emotional regulation and self-management to handle stress and daily challenges. 
• Understanding and responding to sensory needs that may impact focus, comfort, or behaviour in the classroom. 

Ultimately, school-based OTs work to support students in developing the skills, confidence, and balance needed to participate successfully in all aspects of school life (both academically and socially) . 

Our upcoming OT newsletter entries will focus on how you can better understand and support your children’s participation and wellbeing outside of school, linking these ideas back to meaningful daily occupations. We’ll also highlight the fantastic resources, technologies, and opportunities available at Oberon High School, and share helpful links to websites, resources, and videos that you may find useful.