Occupational therapists can work on skill deficits of children in the school system in order to enable them to be better students. This usually occurs through working in the schools along with the entire educational system (AOTA, 2003).

What is School Based OT

School-based occupational therapy are therapy services provided in the schools and the services are based on improving skills for better educational performance. The State of Michigan has defined occupational therapy services in the special education law as "services provided by a qualified occupational therapist; and(ii) Includes—(A) Improving, developing or restoring functions impaired or lost through illness, injury, or deprivation;(B) Improving ability to perform tasks for independent functioning if functions are impaired or lost; and (C) Preventing, through early intervention, initial or further impairment or loss of function" (Michigan Department of Education, 2002).

Education versus Medical Model

The difference between school-based occupational therapy and occupational therapy that occurs in clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation settings is the model of service that is used. An educational model directs how therapists treat and set goals for children in schools. This means that the goals are relevant to the academic curriculum and treatment is to improve their educational performance. This may change how children qualify for services. A medical model focuses on the medical diagnosis of the problem and the remediation of the problem. Typically there is more of an individual therapist approach in a medical model, where an education model has more team dynamics (Sheare, 2003).

Early Intervention Services

Early Intervention services are provided to children ages birth to two years. It is provided under the State of Michigan Special Education rules (State of Michigan, 2005).

Special Education Services

Special Education services are available from birth, although most children receive early intervention services before starting school. Michigan is one of the only states that continues special education services through the age of twenty-five. Most states end services at twenty-one years old (State of Michigan, 2005).