For many students, school is more than academics. It’s a place to build independence, develop life skills and connect with peers. Behind the scenes, school Occupational Therapists (OT) play a crucial role in making this possible for students who live with disabilities. Lea Trudeau has been working as an OT in Manitoba school districts for five years. Her focus – making school communities and classroom life accessible and inclusive.
Driven by a desire to make a difference, Trudeau pursued a career in occupational therapy. She was drawn by the opportunity to help others and the variety of work, including the chance to serve a school in a northern community.
As an OT with the Rehabilitation Centre for Children’s Outreach Therapy Services, the role is as diverse as the students themselves. School OTs contribute to nearly every aspect of a child’s school day.
“We have a hand in many areas such as accessibility of the environment, life skills, self-care skills like toileting, dressing, eating, emotional regulation and behaviour,” Trudeau explains. “This can involve collaborating, modelling and training teachers and educational assistants on how to interact and support students, sharing knowledge about different conditions and diagnoses and supporting universal design practices to help all children learn to their best abilities.”
OTs also work with sensory processing, fine motor development, adaptive equipment and even transfer training. Ultimately, collaboration is at the heart of the role. OTs partner with physiotherapists for gross motor activities like biking or working with them on emotional regulation and behaviour and with speech language pathologists to address the ways communication connects to behaviour.
One memorable experience Trudeau recalls were two students using Tripp Trapp chairs. “Something as simple as an adapted chair allowed students to be included within the classroom. It provided a sense of community, not isolation, allowing them to sit with their peers at the same table. Previously, this would not have been an option, as a standard classroom chair would not have been supportive for their needs.”
Trudeau also remarks on how some schools she works at have hallways lined with adapted bikes bringing joy, opportunity and mobility throughout the day. “Kids use them endlessly to support regulation, increase movement and improve skills,” Trudeau shares. “It’s incredible to see the difference these tools make.”
One message Trudeau has for the families she works with is one of trust and compassion.
“The biggest takeaway I hope children and families have is trust. Trust that if a child needs support or adaptations, we will do our best to make sure all students are able to learn and participate in school in the way that meets their needs.”
Participation means more than just attending class. It’s about ensuring students can fully engage in learning and life at school. “Every child deserves the right to participate in school in a meaningful way. If a child can’t fight for themselves, we will be their voice. And we also support parents who may or may not be able to advocate for their children.”
To learn more about the Rehabilitation Centre for Children’s therapy services, visit their website at www.rccinc.ca.