What does this research mean for the field?

School-based occupational therapy must evolve beyond reactive special education services to include preventive, school-wide Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), requiring the development of a clearly defined, evidence-based implementation model. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine systemic barriers preventing school-based occupational therapy practitioners from providing tiered, preventive supports and propose an actionable framework within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.

September 8, 2026American Journal of Occupational Therapy

School-Based Occupational Therapy in MTSS: A Call to Action

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Authors

MLMarco A. LeãoColorado State University SLShelly J. LaneColorado State University

Discussion

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Implication

Policy analysis highlights barriers to integrating occupational therapy into multi-tiered support systems for students, suggesting a coordinated framework across research and practice.

Key Points

To examine systemic barriers preventing school-based occupational therapy practitioners from providing tiered, preventive supports and propose an actionable framework within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
Reviewed federal policy under the Every Student Succeeds Act regarding the role of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel within multi-tiered systems.
Analyzed institutional and operational obstacles that impede occupational therapy service expansion beyond traditional special education models.
Occupational therapy integration is hindered by conceptual ambiguity, inconsistent tier definitions, fragmented service delivery, and insufficient progress monitoring.
Effective implementation requires a stakeholder-informed, evidence-based practice model alongside coordinated reforms in professional preparation, research, and schoolwide support systems.

Cite This Study

Leão et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd7c658e84d0ff5b46c50 https://doi.org/10.1177/19437676261484889

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September 8, 2026American Journal of Occupational Therapy

School-Based Occupational Therapy in MTSS: A Call to Action

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MLMarco A. LeãoColorado State University SLShelly J. LaneColorado State University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Policy analysis highlights barriers to integrating occupational therapy into multi-tiered support systems for students, suggesting a coordinated framework across research and practice.

Key Points

To examine systemic barriers preventing school-based occupational therapy practitioners from providing tiered, preventive supports and propose an actionable framework within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
Reviewed federal policy under the Every Student Succeeds Act regarding the role of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel within multi-tiered systems.
Analyzed institutional and operational obstacles that impede occupational therapy service expansion beyond traditional special education models.
Occupational therapy integration is hindered by conceptual ambiguity, inconsistent tier definitions, fragmented service delivery, and insufficient progress monitoring.
Effective implementation requires a stakeholder-informed, evidence-based practice model alongside coordinated reforms in professional preparation, research, and schoolwide support systems.

Cite This Study

Leão et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd7c658e84d0ff5b46c50 https://doi.org/10.1177/19437676261484889

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