Resources

Explore our collection of helpful links to online resources that provide information regarding Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy topics.

Occupational Therapy Links

American Occupational Therapy Association

The American Occupational Therapy Association is a national professional society established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners, and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services. Occupational therapy is a vital health care service whose practitioners help to restore and sustain the highest quality of productive life to persons recovering from illnesses or injuries, or coping with developmental disabilities or changes resulting from the aging process.

Texas Occupational Therapy Association

The Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) is a non-profit professional association incorporated in Texas. TOTA is an affiliate of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

The Texas Occupational Therapy Association was established for the benefit of professionals and students of occupational therapy. Membership services includes public relations materials, legislative information, practice forum, educational meetings and student services.

Additional services provided by the association include a research foundation (TOTF) and political action committee (TOTAPAC). Please follow the links to learn more about the function of these entities.

The mission of the TOTA is to be responsive to the professional development, information needs, and educational requirements of its members; to advance and improve the practice of occupational therapy for the benefit of the consumers; and to anticipate and respond to the organizational, political, economic and social features of the health care delivery system at the local, state and national levels.

Help Your Child to Better Handwriting

Handwriting is a complex process of managing written language by coordinating the eyes, arms, hands, pencil grip, letter formation, and body posture. The development of a child's handwriting can provide clues to developmental problems that could hinder a child's learning because teachers depend on written work to measure how well a child is learning.

Understanding Autism

Autism is a developmental disability that affects how the brain functions, specifically those areas of the brain that control social ability and communication skills. Boys are more likely to develop autism, and most children are diagnosed before the age of 3.

Children and adults with autism typically have difficulty in both verbal and nonverbal communication. People with autism may have a difficult time relating to the outside world and may have unusual reactions to the people around them. People with autism may demonstrate aggressive behavior that may cause injury to themselves or others. The disorder also may cause sensitivity to the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.

Occupational therapy can provide intervention that helps children to develop appropriate social, play, and learning skills. The therapist aids the child in achieving and maintaining normal daily tasks such as getting dressed and playing with other children.

Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students

Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students. Pack It Light, Wear It Right.

Does your child have these symptoms after wearing a heavy school backpack? Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain and strain. Parents can take steps to help children load and wear backpacks the right way to avoid health problems.

Occupational Therapy Services in Schools

School-based occupational therapy is designed to enhance the student's ability to fully access and be successful in the learning environment.

This might include working on handwriting or fine motor skills so the child can complete written assignments, helping the child organize himself or herself in the environment (including work space in and around the desk), working with the teacher to modify the classroom and/or adapt learning materials to facilitate successful participation.

Occupational therapy (OT) is a related service under Part B of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and is provided to help a student with a disability to benefit from special education. As such, OT is a supportive service.

If your child has a disability, as defined by IDEA, and needs special education and related services to meet unique learning needs, then he/she might be eligible for OT services. Your child must be eligible for special education before being considered for OT services in the schools under IDEA.