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School-Based Occupational Therapy Survival Kit
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items Are you trying to make your life easier or new to school-based occupational therapy? These are the things I wish I knew about when I started and what I use to make my job easier as a school based occupational therapist. From items I use during therap...
Sections
4
Organization & Housekeeping
My Daily OT Go To’s
My Most Used Therapy Tools
Simple Sensory Tools
Organization & Housekeeping
Everything I use as a school based occupational therapist to stay sane and organized while managing a large caseload and multiple schools.
A simple 3-ring binder that keeps all of my school-based OT essentials organized in one place. I use it to keep my calendar, meeting tracker, session planner, and data sheets together so I can stay on top of my caseload without a million papers float...
Avery Heavy-Duty 3 Ring Binder, 2", Light Blue
These folders are durable and help me keep track of work completed during OT sessions. I like to assign each school a different color so that I can easily grab and go without having to think.
Five Star 2-Pocket Plastic Folder, Amethyst
Page protectors help me keep important information clean, protected and easy to use. I can even use these as a dry erase surface in a pinch!
Amazon Basics Sheet Protectors, 100-Pack
Dividers help me keep information organized by school. I love the write an erase feature so I can reuse these year after year.
Avery Big Tab Write & Erase Dividers, 5-Tab
This is my mobile desk! I stock it with extra writing utensils, visual supports, and paper. I also keep my schedule and daily planner on it.
Storage clipboard
I always have sticky notes on hand to write down my to-do list, quick notes, or observations.
Post-it Super Sticky Notes 3x3, Neons, 24 Pads
This pouch holds it all, pens, sticky notes, adapted writing tools, markers, scissors and more. It’s helpful to have everything ready to grab and go!
Occupational Therapy pencil pouch
This bag holds everything and makes my life a breeze! I use these large zip top tote with extra long handles. I can fit all of my organizational and session items in one bag.
The Original Boat and Tote & this OT’s best bag
I always keep hand sanitizer on me, the best thing about this is it fits in my pencil pouch! An easy way to keep my hands clean.
Spray Hand Sanitizer
With all of the hand washing and hand sanitizer, it’s nice to have hand cream on the go!
Hydrating hand cream
This lunchbox holds a lot and keeps my food cold! I can fit my ice piece and glass or stainless steel food containers without an issue. The pockets on the outside hold my extra hand sanitizer, napkins, and gum.
Insulated Lunch Bag for Work & Travel
My Daily OT Go To’s
My must have materials that I use each day.
These are my favorite pencils. They are durable, easy to sharpen, and erase well.
Ticonderoga Wood-Cased Pencils, Pre-Sharpened
I always have these on me and give them to teachers who ask about helping kids “hold the pencil the right way”. Golf pencils make it easy to support tripod grasp when writing.
Golf pencil with eraser
These pencils last forever! They write dark and erase well. I even use these with students who often write too light.
BIC Xtra Smooth Mechanical Pencil 0.7mm, 40-Pack
I always have this on-hand so that I can easily add lines to worksheets when I am providing push in OT services.
Easiest way to add lines! LEGILINER 3/4" Dashed Handwriting Line Stamp
3-lined paper to help students keep their writing organized and neat.
3-lined handwriting paper
Easy to use and I don’t need to worry about losing my cap.
BIC Gelocity Quick Dry Black Gel Pens, 8-Pack
Two markers in one! I love how I can have a lot of colors while saving space in my pencil case. I use these daily during sessions.
U Brands Double Ended Dry Erase Markers, 6 Pack
I use these to highlight important information in an assessment report or on assignments working with students. I love the contrast the pastel colors give without being too bright.
BIC Brite Liner Grip Pastel Highlighters, 12 Pack
I always keep glue sticks on hand. I like the glue sticks with the disappearing purple so that my students can see where they’re glueing.
Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Sticks, 4 Pack
Scissors are a must-have in my bag. Whether I am using them to prep resources or activities or I’m having a student use them during a scissor skill activity.
Fiskars Blunt-tip Safety-edge Scissors
Can’t forget about scissors for our left handed kiddos!
Fiskars 5" SoftGrip Left-Handed Kids Scissors
My Most Used Therapy Tools
I incorporate these items into many of my OT sessions on a weekly basis. Many of these items can be used more than 1 way!
A compact game and fun way to address visual perceptual skills. You can expand on the activity and add a writing or drawing component too.
Spot It! Classic Card Game
Make improving hand strength and grasp development fun!
Learning Resources Jumbo Plastic Tweezers for Kids
Play-doh is very versatile and can be used for hand strengthening, to practice letter formation, provide sensory input and more.
Play Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Assorted Colors, Non-Toxic 2 oz Cans
I like to use Pom poms to support pencil grasp and during fine motor activities. I have students sort Pom Poms with jumbo tweezers, ‘feed’ the penguin, and use them in crafts.
Pom poms, your newest go to therapy tool!
A tool that can be used and reused so many ways! 3 ways I use them are: hide them in putty or play doh, make bracelets, or have students copy a pattern
A Million Beads: Bracelet & Pattern Play
I use dry erase boards every single day. I use it to write the session plan for kids to check off, have a visual model, and let kids draw.
Double Sided Dry Erase Whiteboards with Lines
These help promote use of tripod grasp when coloring! I like how there are textured spaces to help cue finger placement.
Water drop, easy grip crayons
Slant board can be used to support students who may have positioning challenges or visual perceptual needs. This slant board can also be used as a dry erase board!
Slant board for writing
Pencil grips are one way to support grasp on writing tools!
Fire Sara Pencil Grip - Easy to Use
Simple Sensory Tools
Sensory tools that can be easily suggested and implemented.
An easy fidget for students who like to touch anything and everything in their desk.
Textured Sensory Stickers
A helpful tool for students that are sensitive to loud or unexpected noises. Great to have on hand during fire drills or assemblies.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
A tool to help kiddos who are constantly moving.
Desk kickband
A quiet way to keep the hands busy in class.
Squishy maze fidget