Our Program and Services          
        The Center School Occupational Therapists work in conjunction with the entire educational team to help all of our students succeed in all aspects of their education program by addressing their sensory-motor, perceptual, academic, and social needs. This is accomplished through Individual Sessions, Group Sensory Diet Sessions, Consultation with staff for modifications and adaptations to the environment as well as The Life Skills Program.
           The Sensory Diet program provides a variety of sensory-motor activities that stimulate muscles and the sensory system, providing our students with a variety of sensory input and opportunities for skill development. Self-regulation principles are also taught and incorporated into each Sensory Diet session.  In our ‘State of the Art’ 2,000 square foot department, we have the privilege to provide our students with multiple sensory experiences. Individual sessions focus on meeting each child’s needs, whether they be sensory motor, fine motor, visual motor/visual perceptual, motor planning or self-regulation. Our Occupational Therapy room also has a large break area, separate from our treatment area, with multiple options for movement, heavy work and overall sensory input. Students who need to take a break from the classroom in order to focus or release energy are welcome to come up to the OT room for a set amount of time and then return to class. The goal of these Sensory breaks is to teach our students strategies needed for self-regulation, leading to more successful classroom participation and social engagement. 
        Our occupational therapists have expertise in task analysis and we work closely with our students and educational team to identify where challenges occur during the school day and how we can adapt or modify the task or environment in order to help our students reach their potential. Adaptations and modifications can include alternative classroom seating options, handwriting accommodations, adjustment to schedules to accommodate a student’s sensory need(s), fidgets, strengthening exercises, etc. 
        In the Life Skills Program, the Occupational Therapists, along with the Life Skills Teacher, work with our students to teach skills in areas such cooking and meal preparation, financial management, household management, social skills, activities of daily living, community outings, etc. The goal of this program is to foster independence. During all activities, tasks are modified or adapted to maximize success.