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A Visiting Occupational Therapy Service to Indigenous Children in School: Results of A Pilot Project

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2016

Alison Nelson  and
Heather Allison
Alison Nelson
Affiliation:
Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
Heather Allison
Affiliation:
Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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Abstract

The need for additional support for Indigenous children at school is well documented. Occupational therapists are well positioned to form part of this support. However, many occupational therapists report that Indigenous families do not access their services and when they do, the occupational therapist feels uncertain about how best to meet their needs. This article documents a pilot project which delivered occupational therapy services within several schools and preschools in Brisbane which had significant numbers of Indigenous students. The project was evaluated using a qualitative methodology and included focus groups and interviews with teachers and parents. The results indicated that in general the service provided valuable support to students, teachers and parents. In particular, providing the service within the school context was seen as critical to its success. Suggestions for improvements in future support services are also provided.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 33 , 2004 , pp. 55 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2004

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