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The Role Of The Occupational Therapist For Primary School Children: Consideration Of Collaborative Practices With Primary School Teachers

Collins, Annmarie and Colum, Miriam orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-6605-9732 (2024) The Role Of The Occupational Therapist For Primary School Children: Consideration Of Collaborative Practices With Primary School Teachers. Reach: journal of special needs education in Ireland, 37 (1). ISSN 0790-8695

Abstract
This article examines the role of the Occupational Therapist (OT) for children with special educational needs (SEN) in primary schools, with an emphasis on the importance of collaborative practice between the OT and primary school teachers to enhance inclusion. Adopting a qualitative approach, data were gathered from eight teachers using semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that there is some understanding of the role of the OT despite lack of education and training on the role, and on collaborative practices. Furthermore, many challenges such as poor communication, long waiting lists, inadequate funding, inconsistent reporting, and a lack of knowledge on using specific equipment exists when it comes to the provision of OT on site in schools. Finally, participants’ aspirations for collaboration can be seen in a broader desire to get involved with work that promotes inclusion and recommend deeper communication, education, and training and in-school provision.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Inclusion, occupational therapy, collaboration, primary school teachers
Subjects:Medical Sciences > Health
Social Sciences > Education
Social Sciences > Teaching
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education
DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of Inclusive & Special Education
Research Institutes and Centres > Centre for Inclusive Pedagogy
Publisher:Irish Association of Teachers in Special Education
Official URL:https://www.reachjournal.ie/index.php/reach/articl...
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:32023
Deposited On:16 Dec 2025 12:19 by Tom Feeney . Last Modified 16 Dec 2025 12:19
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