Why Consultation Matters: Strengthening Collaboration Between Occupational Therapists and Teachers
In a school setting, supporting students is a team effort—and collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and teachers is essential. While direct therapy is often what people imagine when they think of OT in schools, consultation is just as important—and often even more powerful.
Through consultation, therapists can share strategies, problem-solve barriers, and build teacher capacity to support a wide range of students—not just those on caseload. But how do we ensure consultations are meaningful, not just a quick hallway chat?
Let’s explore why OT-teacher consultation matters and 10 simple, effective ways to make it work better.
What Is Consultation in School-Based OT?
Consultation is the process of collaborating with educators to support student participation, function, and access to learning. This might include:
- Observing a student in class
- Talking with the teacher about classroom routines
- Providing environmental, sensory, or motor adaptations
- Co-creating strategies or tools for the classroom
- Supporting RTI/MTSS implementation
Consultation is not just passive—it’s an active, ongoing process that allows OTs to have a wider impact across the school.
Why Consultation Is Essential:
- Builds teacher confidence in supporting diverse needs
- Addresses student challenges early—before they require formal referrals
- Ensures carryover of therapeutic strategies into daily routines
- Fosters relationships and trust across the team
- Maximizes the OT’s impact beyond direct minutes
🧠 10 Easy Tips to Improve OT Consultation in Schools
Here are 10 quick, actionable ideas to make consultations more effective and collaborative:
1. Schedule Ahead
Set a recurring time for monthly check-ins—even just 15 minutes. This creates consistency and shows you’re a reliable team member.
2. Bring a Guided Form
Use a simple consultation form to guide the conversation. Teachers often don’t know what to report unless we ask the right questions.
3. Start with Strengths
Always begin by asking, “What’s going well?” Building on strengths sets a positive tone and helps uncover what’s working.
4. Ask About Routines
Instead of “any OT concerns?” ask about specific routines like transitions, writing tasks, or snack time to gather functional insights.
5. Keep It Classroom-Based
Make recommendations that are realistic within classroom demands—no extra prep, no special equipment.
6. Co-Create Strategies
Ask the teacher what they’ve already tried and brainstorm together. Teachers feel more invested in solutions they help develop.
7. Offer Just One or Two Ideas
Keep it simple. One well-implemented strategy is more impactful than five overwhelming suggestions.
8. Follow Up in Writing
Send a short note or email summarizing what was discussed. This helps with clarity and documentation.
9. Observe Without Judging
When observing, look for patterns—not perfection. Use neutral language and offer support, not critique.
10. Use Data to Guide Conversations
Whether it’s student progress or teacher observations, anchor conversations in data—not just feelings.
🔧 Want a Tool to Make This Easier?
✅ This is the OT consult form YOU need for guided CONSULTATION and DATA COLLECTION!
Whether you’re doing monthly check-ins or gathering information for evaluations, this tool helps you make each consultation purposeful, focused, and documented.
What’s Included:
- 📄 Short form – perfect for quick check-ins or screenings
- 🧸 Preschool version – tailored questions for early learning environments
- 🏫 Elementary version – addresses core classroom skills
- 🧍♂️ Middle school version – supports older students’ functional needs
- 🖊️ Teacher-friendly questions that prompt functional insights
- 📝 Space for OT notes and follow-up
🛑 Not editable – designed to be printed and used in real-time for clarity and simplicity.
Whether you give it to teachers beforehand or use it during a meeting, this form helps ensure no detail is missed and all voices are heard.
Final Thoughts
OTs are uniquely positioned to support whole-child learning—but we can’t do it alone. Consultation bridges the gap between therapy and the classroom, empowering teachers with tools and understanding to help students thrive.
When we collaborate intentionally, we create environments where all students can participate, learn, and feel successful.
👉 Ready to transform your consultations?
Download the School-Based OT Consultation Forms today and make every conversation count.
