Schools are increasingly turning to Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to ensure every student receives the appropriate level of assistance to thrive. Within this framework, Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) have emerged as invaluable team members whose contributions may be unrecognized or underappreciated. As we navigate 2025’s educational challenges, OTAs are continuing to be essential partners in creating truly inclusive learning environments, particularly for our youngest learners.

What Many Don’t Know About OTAs in Educational Settings

While Occupational Therapists (OTs) are familiar figures in special education, their partners—Occupational Therapy Assistants—remain somewhat invisible heroes in the educational support system. Many administrators, teachers, and even parents are unaware that OTAs:

• Receive specialized training in child development, sensory processing, motor skills, and adaptive strategies
• can implement interventions across all three tiers of MTSS support
• Typically have more consistent daily interaction with students than supervising OTs
• Often serve as the bridge between therapeutic strategies and classroom implementation
• can provide cost-effective support solutions that extend the reach of occupational therapy services

The Proactive Power of OTAs in Early Education

The traditional model of waiting for students to struggle before providing occupational therapy support is rapidly being replaced by a proactive approach where OTAs play a crucial role. Research increasingly shows that early intervening yields the most significant results, and OTAs are perfectly positioned to deliver this support.

In early education settings, OTAs are:

1. Conducting whole-class screenings to identify potential developmental concerns before they affect academic performance
2. Co-teaching sensory-motor lessons alongside classroom teachers to benefit all students
3. Designing classroom environments that support diverse sensory and motor needs
4. Training paraprofessionals and teachers on therapeutic techniques that can be embedded into daily routines
5. Facilitating small groups focused on fine motor, visual-motor, and self-regulation skills

2025 Trends: How OTAs Are Transforming MTSS Implementation

The school setting is the second most common practice area for OTAs (Spielman, 2019). This year has seen several notable trends in how schools are leveraging OTAs within their MTSS frameworks:

1. Integration into Universal Screening Teams

OTAs are increasingly included in universal screening processes, bringing their expertise in fine motor, visual-motor, and sensory processing assessment to identify students who might benefit from targeted support before academic difficulties emerge.

2. Tech-Enhanced Interventions

In 2025, OTAs are utilizing adaptive technology tools to enhance their interventions. As our students increasingly rely on their Chromebooks and iPads, OTAs are embracing technology to make therapy more engaging and effective.

3. Collaborative Push-In Services

Rather than pulling students out for therapy, OTAs are pushing into classrooms, providing support during normal instructional time. This approach not only reduces stigma but ensures strategies are implemented in the actual environments where skills will be used. Seeing children in their natural learning environment is best practice.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making

Today’s OTAs are skilled in collecting and analyzing progress monitoring data, allowing MTSS teams to make informed decisions about when to intensify, modify, or fade supports.

5. Whole-Child Wellness Approaches

OTAs are increasingly taking a holistic approach, addressing not just fine motor and sensory needs but also supporting social-emotional learning, proactive mental health approaches, executive functioning, and overall wellness within MTSS frameworks.

Building an Effective OT/OTA Partnership Within MTSS

The most successful schools utilize a collaborative model where:

• OTs conduct comprehensive evaluations and develop intervention plans
• OTAs implement daily interventions across all three tiers
• Both professionals collaborate with teachers to embed strategies into classroom routines
• OTAs collect ongoing progress monitoring data
• The team meets regularly to analyze data and adjust interventions

This partnership model maximizes the specialized skills of both professionals while ensuring more students receive timely, appropriate support.

Beyond the Individual: How OTAs Support Systemic Change

Perhaps the most significant contribution OTAs make to MTSS is their ability to effect systemic change. By working across tiers of support, OTAs help schools:

• Create universally designed learning environments that reduce barriers for all students
• Develop teacher capacity to support diverse learners
• Implement evidence-based practices consistently
• Foster inclusive school cultures that celebrate neurodiversity
• Build sustainable systems that support students’ developmental needs

The beauty of having OTAs involved in our MTSS process is that they think beyond the individual child. They help us create classrooms where fewer students struggle in the first place.

Looking Ahead: The Future of OTAs in Educational Settings

As schools continue to recognize the value OTAs bring to MTSS frameworks, we can expect to see:

• Expanded roles for OTAs in curriculum development and teacher professional development
• Increased collaboration between OTAs and other support professionals
• Greater inclusion of OTAs in school leadership and MTSS decision-making teams
• More research documenting the effectiveness of OTA-supported early intervention
• Growing demand for OTAs with specialized pediatric and educational training

Conclusion: The OTA Advantage

As schools strive to create truly inclusive environments that support every child’s development, Occupational Therapy Assistants are proving to be essential team members in effective MTSS implementation. Their unique combination of specialized training, practical skills, and collaborative approach makes them ideally suited to support our youngest learners during their most formative years.

By leveraging the often-overlooked talents of OTAs, schools can create more responsive, effective support systems that identify and address challenges early—ultimately helping more children reach their full potential.

If you’re interested in learning more about the MTSS framework, join us at the upcoming Inclusive Classrooms Summit (June 16-18, 2025), where experts will share best practices and implementation strategies.

Reference: 

Spielman, M. (2019). Best practices for occupational therapy assistants in schools. In G. Frolek Clark, J. E. Rioux, & B. E. Chandler (Eds.), Best practices for occupational therapy in schools (2nd ed., pp. 71-78). AOTA Press.