Course Description
This course provides school-based occupational therapy professionals with the knowledge and skills to assess and consider assistive technology (AT) solutions for students with diverse needs. Participants will explore the assessment process, including identifying student abilities, environmental factors, and task demands to determine appropriate AT supports.
The course will cover best practices in collaboration with educators, families, and other team members to ensure successful AT integration. Case studies and hands-on activities will enhance practical application, empowering therapists to make informed decisions that promote student participation and independence. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped with effective strategies for AT assessment and implementation within the school setting.
Learning Objectives
1. Learners will identify key factors in assessing student needs, environmental influences, and task demands for appropriate AT selection.
2. Learners will apply the SETT framework and other best practices to guide AT decision-making in school-based practice.
3. Learners will collaborate effectively with educators, families, and the IEP team to ensure AT supports student participation and learning.
Contact Hours
This course is 1.5 hour in length. (0.15 AOTA CEUs)
OTSchoolhouse.com is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development, #0252.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
As an AOTA-Approved provider of professional development, OTSchoolhouse.com courses are accepted by NBCOT® at a rate of 1.25 NBCOT PDUs per each hour of course content.
NBCOT® is a registered trademark of The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
Register for this course and future courses inside the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative for as little as $120
Agenda
0–5 minutes – Introduction
Provide a brief overview of assistive technology and its relevance to school-based occupational therapy.
5–15 minutes – Legal and Ethical Considerations
Review IDEA requirements and ethical responsibilities related to AT in the IEP process.
15–30 minutes – AT Assessment Process
Introduce the SETT Framework and highlight the importance of understanding student needs and team collaboration.
30–45 minutes – Decision-Making in AT Selection
Explore how to match AT tools to student goals while considering usability, accessibility, and support needs.
45–60 minutes – Case Studies and Real-World Applications
Analyze real-life examples to illustrate effective AT selection and assessment using the SETT approach.
60–75 minutes – Implementation and Monitoring
Discuss strategies for trialing AT tools and collecting meaningful data to guide intervention.
75–85 minutes – Refining and Adjusting AT Use
Identify how to adapt and improve AT use based on student progress and ongoing needs.
85–90 minutes – Questions and Answers
Engage in open Q&A to reinforce key takeaways and discuss next steps in applying AT practices.
Your Instructor
Elisa Wern, M.Ed., OTR/L, ATP
Elisa Wern is an Occupational Therapist, with a Master’s degree in Special Education, and RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) with over 20 years of experience in pediatric therapy. She presents at a variety of state and national conferences including regional training, AOTA, CEC, PATINS A2E, and ATIA, Closing the Gap, OTAP/ECHO TIES Project, CATE, TalkingAAC and AAC in the Cloud. She is the Local Assistive Technology Specialist for Alachua County Schools in Gainesville, Florida, where she coordinates AT services for the district, and serves as the Lead Occupational Therapist. In her spare work time she has a private practice, AT & OT Consulting and Coaching, supporting students and families primarily through teletherapy evaluations, consultations, and interventions as well as consultation for companies. She is a contracted staff member for LessonPix providing training and conference support. She proudly served as a Year 1 Mentor as a Joy Zabala Fellow.
Registration
To access this course and others, become a member of the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative.
OTS Collab is an online community dedicated to providing school-based OT practitioners with highly valuable professional development and interactive support to implement learned strategies. In OTS Collab, we learn together, support and encourage one another, and celebrate our achievements as a collective whole.
Click here to learn more about the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative and register in our dedicated community of school-based OT practitioners.
Instructional Methods
A combination of speaker presentation with a slide deck and both synchronous & asynchronous Q+A with the presenter.
Target Audience
& Educational Level
This is an introductory level course intended for occupational therapy practitioners working in school systems or with a goal to better understand occupational therapy in school systems.
Course Completion Requirements
To receive a certificate for this course, you must watch the recorded course in its entirety. Then, you will need to take a learning assessment test and earn a score 75% or higher. If you pass, a certificate will be automatically generated and sent to your email.
Special Needs Requests
This course will include closed captioning and a transcript may be available upon request. You may also rewatch the course or sections of the course as needed. Additional accommodations may be requested by reaching out to us via email.
Financial & Non-financial Disclosures
Speaker Disclosure
Elisa is receiving an honorarium for this course.
Sponsor Disclosure
The OTS Collaborative Community is a product of the OT Schoolhouse.
Content Disclosure
This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Terms and Conditions
Schoolhouse Education, LLC will keep a record of your completed CE courses. When applicable, transcript services may include reporting to professional associations and/or state licensure boards. While Schoolhouse Education, LLC will make all reasonable efforts to offer CE credit for its courses, it is not responsible for state or national, or regulatory current policies or changes in CE requirements that may make courses ineligible for CE credits.
Participant Agreement
By registering for or attending any event or activity associated with the Schoolhouse Education, LLC and OT Schoolhouse, I agree to the following:
Professional Development/Information Disclaimer
The material presented in this course is not intended to represent the only or the best methods appropriate for the occupational therapy and/or medical condition or professional development issues being discussed but rather is intended to present the opinions of the presenters, which may be helpful to other health care professionals at arriving at their own conclusions and consequent application. Attendees participating in this professional development education program do so with full knowledge that they waive any claim they may have against the A-Z School-Based OT Course, Schoolhouse Education, LLC, and OT School House and its staff or representatives for reliance on any information presented during these educational activities.
Waiver of Liability Agreement
I release Schoolhouse Education, LLC, OT Schoolhouse, and its staff, presenters, and any other individuals or entities associated with this course from any and all liability connected with my participation, as well as from any liability related to changes to the schedule, events or activities. I acknowledge and agree that I am participating on my own choice and assume all risk in connection thereof and that in the event that a need for emergency medical service arises, I authorize and consent to such services being provided at my own expense.
Cancelation & Refund Policy
In the event that Schoolhouse Education, LLC must cancel the event for any reason, participants will be offered a credit toward the rescheduled event. OT Schoolhouse Collaborative subscribers may cancel their subscription at any time.