Effectiveness of Transition Readiness Interventions by School-Based Occupational Therapy Personnel

Area of Science:

• Pediatric occupational therapy
• Special education transition services
• Disability studies

Background:

• Federal mandates aim to improve transition outcomes for students with disabilities, but success rates remain low.
• Occupational therapy's expertise in life and work skills is underutilized in transition services.
• There is a need to investigate the role of occupational therapy in preparing students with disabilities for adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy transition readiness services.
• To assess the impact of these services on students with disabilities aged 14-16.
• To determine if occupational therapy can enhance functional readiness for post-secondary transitions.

Main Methods:

• A two-year intervention study involving 42 students with disabilities and 14 occupational therapy personnel across 10 school districts.
• Utilized peer groups for exploring work and life skills, and completing student-led projects.
• Analyzed pre-post functional behavior scores using a proportional change index.

Main Results:

• Students receiving occupational therapy transition readiness services showed statistically significant improvements in functional behaviors.
• The intervention demonstrated positive effects on the development of life and work skills.
• Occupational therapy personnel actively engaged students in transition-focused activities.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy transition readiness services are effective in improving functional outcomes for students with disabilities.
• This approach holds significant potential for increasing students' readiness for successful adult life.
• Integrating occupational therapy into transition planning is crucial for better post-secondary outcomes.