A Qualitative Study of Occupational Therapy's Role in Adolescent Transition in a Midwestern Coalition of Many School Districts

Two years after high school, adolescents with disabilities struggle with employment, independent living, and continuing education. These struggles call for school-based occupational therapists to take a role to impact outcomes. The perceptions of occupational therapists within transition services in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational therapy, schools & early intervention schools & early intervention, 2011-04, Vol.4 (2), p.154-167
Main Authors: Gangl, Candice, Strecker Neufeld, Peggy, Berg, Christine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adolescents
occupational therapy
school-based
Transition
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Summary:Two years after high school, adolescents with disabilities struggle with employment, independent living, and continuing education. These struggles call for school-based occupational therapists to take a role to impact outcomes. The perceptions of occupational therapists within transition services in a large Midwestern coalition were examined. Through semistructured interviews with 4 nonoccupational therapy transition professionals and a focus group with occupational therapists, 3 themes emerged: (a) "I couldn't even begin to describe the essential functions of an occupational therapist"; (b) "Unless the kids get direct services, which a lot of these kids aren't, I don't have any part in their transition services"; and (c) "I don't feel that [OT] is looked at as a priority in transition." Occupational therapy continues to be underutilized in school-based transition services. Suggestions are provided to enhance the role within system-wide delivery changes.
ISSN:1941-1243
1941-1251
DOI:10.1080/19411243.2011.595313