Zooming during Covid-19

RE: A Broken Link NY Times article September 13, 2020

As a public-school occupational therapist who has been working with children since the 1970’s (starting as a volunteer when I was in high school) I have seen many changes and improvements to how our public school educate children with special needs. I must take exception to the article and predetermined subtitle …”those programs are beginning to crumble”.

My colleagues and I have been providing remote school occupational therapy sessions via zoom since March 2020. I have had great success with parents being more aware than ever before about what their children are capable of and how best they can help them. I have had many successful interactions with parents, grandparents, teachers, aides, and students. My service delivery has changed in that I use parents and others who are physically in the same space as my students as my assistants. I am able to see them follow through with my intervention recommendations in real time and provide realistic support. 

Please continue to provide in depth reporting-please also look for a balanced view.

Respectfully,

Debra S. Jacobs MA OTR/L
Public School Occupational Therapist