Occupational Therapy
Darcey school is committed to facilitating the development of young children. Occupational therapy is just one part of Darcey’s educational team which services children in pre-school and kindergarten.
The purpose of this site is to provide general information regarding child development, school-based occupational therapy as well as easy to try strategies that you can use at home to help your child gain independence.
About Michelle Torres
Hi! My name is Michelle Torres and I am the Occupational Therapist at Darcey School. I graduated with honors from Quinnipiac University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and a minor in Spanish Language/Literature. I began my professional career working in Birth to Three. In 2002, I decided to change settings and began working for ACES, providing school-based therapy within public schools. I also have experience working in an out-patient clinic with a focus on sensory integration and manual therapy. I am a lifelong learner; committed to gaining knowledge and experience, which I use to help my students achieve success.
What is school-based OT?
School-based OT is quite different than medically-based therapy. Within the school setting, OT is provided to children who qualify as a related service to special education. This means that a child must be receiving special education services in order to receive OT.
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- OT may also be provided to a child with a 504 Accomodation Plan.
- OT in school is designed to help children gain independence in their ‘occupation’ as a student.
- The sole focus of school-based OT is on the student’s ability to complete curriculum-based activities.
- In order for a student to receive OT they must present with a deficit which directly impacts their ability to access and/or participate in their educational program.
- View the complete State Department of Education Guidelines for Occupational Therapy in Educational Settings