An Occupational Therapy Needs Assessment for At-Risk High School Students Attending An Alternative Education Program: A Case Study

The purpose of this mixed-methods needs assessment was to identify how occupational therapy services might support at-risk high school students enrolled in an alternative education program. Sixteen staff members and 24 students completed a survey addressing potential needs across performance areas and client factors within the domain of occupational therapy. Interviews and observation were used to add breadth and depth to these survey data. The findings indicated a need for intervention in multiple areas including time management, behavior regulation, attention, health and wellness, stress management, communication skills, job skills, and goal setting. Students and staff indicated similar areas of needs and staff members with and without special education training rated students similarly. The results support the need for occupational therapy services to support alternative education programs in order to facilitate student engagement in academic and social environments and better prepare students to be successful in life roles and occupations. Provision of occupational therapy to students in alternative education programs is recommended and collaborative strategies for intervention are discussed