Outcomes of an occupational therapy school-based consultation service for students with fine motor difficulties

This paper reports on a study that was conducted to address the perceived occupational performance changes among school-aged children who received occupational therapy services for fine motor difficulties. It also addressed teacher awareness and the degree of implementation of occupational therapy recommendations by teachers.

The study sample included 91 school-aged children referred for occupational therapy services for fine motor difficulties. The children were assessed, before and after intervention. Outcome measures used were the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Teacher Awareness Scale (TAS).

Significant change scores in both scales of the COPM were (Performance = 1.50, p < 0.001; Satisfaction = 1.92, p < 0.001). Regression analyses showed that lower teacher ratings of the students'performance and satisfaction of performance on the initial COPM resulted in significantly greater COPM change scores in the students'performance and satisfaction of performance at reassessment. The greater the degree of implementation of occupational therapy strategies by the teacher, the greater the COPM performance and satisfaction change scores. The greater the degree of teacher awareness of students'special needs resulted in greater COPM performance change scores.

Teachers may benefit from more education regarding fine motor difficulties in children and how the implementation of occupational therapy strategies are helpful to improve children's fine motor difficulties.