Occupational Therapy in EC ft. Leah Hiller
Leah Hiller
Meet our guest
Leah Hiller is a pediatric occupational therapist (OT), an educational consultant, and a former Jewish day school teacher. She provides teachers and parents like you with the strategies, support, and evidence-based resources to help children thrive at home, school, and play. In addition to providing individualized OT services in her private practice, she offers workshops for parents and educators and teaches graduate courses in special education. Leah lives in Los Angeles with her family, and her OT therapy studio is located in a natural setting - her very own backyard!
To learn more about Leah and her work, visit Hiller Therapy and follow her on Instagram for tips you can do at school (or home) and upcoming workshops!
““What matters is how well the child is functioning in their environment.””
Teacher Takeaways
OT in EC
What does Occupational Therapy cover exactly? Think: How do kids spend their time? (So basically everything ;)
Categories OT looks at Fine motor, gross motor, sensory processing, visual motor skills, executive functioning to name a few…
The purpose of OT is FUNCTION. We want children to function in all spaces of life. The goal isn’t just to get a child to ‘typical’ but rather to change that child’s trajectory.
A big piece of OT is also the environment. If three or more of your students are struggling, check the environment and change things, if needed.
All opportunities they (children) can try to or do on their own will help them to grow. (Motto: Don’t open the _____ (snack bag, jar, door, etc…) for them! ;)
Teachers should just observe carefully. Don’t label or assume, observe and narrate what you observe and how it’s affecting the child’s ability to function in the classroom. Use objective language. Ask parents if they notice the same thing at home.
Resources
Referenced in the Interview
