Occupational, speech and emotional therapy with students attending booster classes

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Special Education
• Therapeutic Interventions

Background:

• Special education students often face challenges with self-image and adaptive behaviors.
• A holistic approach integrating multiple therapies may address these challenges effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a holistic intervention program on self-image, adaptive behaviors, and occupational therapy functioning in elementary special education students.
• To determine if occupational therapy, speech therapy, and art therapy can improve classroom performance.

Main Methods:

• A holistic intervention program was implemented for 50 elementary special education students across five booster classes.
• The program integrated occupational therapy, speech therapy, and art therapy.
• Student self-image, adaptive behaviors, and occupational therapy functional categories were assessed before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in students' self-image scores post-intervention (p = 0.040).
• A significant reduction in adaptive classroom behavioral problems was noted (p = 0.034).
• Students demonstrated significant functional gains across all occupational therapy categories.

Conclusions:

• The holistic therapy program was effective in enhancing self-image and reducing behavioral issues in special education students.
• Integrated therapeutic interventions positively impacted students' overall classroom functioning and occupational therapy outcomes.