Occupational Therapy Support That Helps Students Succeed
Experienced Occupational Therapists helping districts maintain consistent services, support student participation, and reduce staffing challenges through virtual, hybrid, and in-person models.
Tired of the headaches?
Staffing
Shortages
Staff
Burnout
Evaluation
Backlogs
Missed Service
Minutes
Why is Sensory Processessing so Important?
Imagine you have an itch you can't scratch.
Imagine you are in an interview, and you have an extreme itch on your foot. Immediately it is hard to pay attention. Students that need Occupational Therapy struggle in a similar way.
Multiply that itch by 1,000.
Many OT students have a sensory overload. Their brains struggle to filter what is or isn’t important. Everything is at emergency status. So imagine that itchy feeling being multiplied by 1,000.
You would struggle socially too.
Sensory overwhelm creates behavior that looks like mood swings. This behavior makes it difficult for students needing OT to acclimate to their social situations.
How We Help Students Participate More Fully in School
School-based occupational therapy helps students develop the functional skills they need to access learning, participate in classroom activities, and build greater independence throughout the school day.
Fine Motor Skills
Support handwriting, cutting, and classroom tool use.
Sensory Processing
Help students navigate sensory challenges that affect learning.
Visual-Motor Coordination
Improve coordination needed for classroom activities.
Self-Regulation
Support attention, transitions, and classroom engagement
Functional Independence
Build confidence with routines and daily school tasks.
Classroom Participation
Reduce barriers that impact learning and success.
Supporting Students in Building the Skills Needed for School Success
✅ Fine Motor Development
✅ Handwriting Skills
✅ Visual-Motor Integration
✅ Sensory Processing
✅ Motor Planning
✅ Bilateral Coordination
✅ Self-Regulation
✅ Executive Functioning
✅ Adaptive Skills
✅ Functional Independence
✅ Classroom Participation
✅ Self-Care Tasks
Our Occupational Therapists support students through individualized, school-based interventions designed to improve participation, independence, and success in the classroom. Services are tailored to each student’s IEP goals and educational needs while helping them engage more fully in learning and everyday school activities.
How Online Occupational Therapy Comes to Life
Online occupational therapy is designed to be active, engaging, and personalized to each student’s IEP goals. Using everyday materials, interactive activities, and guided movement, our Occupational Therapists help students develop the functional skills they need to participate more confidently in the classroom and throughout the school day.
Typing Skills
Students build keyboarding accuracy, hand positioning, and digital navigation skills that support written assignments, classroom technology, and independent learning.
Handwriting Skills
Through guided handwriting activities, visual-motor exercises, and pencil control practice, students strengthen the foundational skills needed for written communication and academic success.
Fine Motor Skills
Interactive activities using common classroom or household items—such as tweezers, beads, clothespins, or craft materials—help students improve hand strength, coordination, dexterity, and precision.
Sensory & Motor Activities
Guided stretches, movement breaks, balance exercises, coordination games, and sensory activities help students improve body awareness, self-regulation, and readiness for learning throughout the school day.
See Online Occupational Therapy in Action
Every session is personalized to the student’s goals, making therapy both engaging and meaningful. Watch the short video below to see how our therapists bring occupational therapy to life through interactive, school-based virtual sessions.
A Therapy Services Partner Built for Schools
Partnering with Lighthouse gives districts flexible access to licensed specialists,
responsive onboarding, consistent communication, and dedicated support through
service models designed to adapt to evolving staffing and student needs.
Flexible Staffing
Models
Scale support based
on district needs.
Licensed School-
Based OTs
Experienced clinicians
ready to integrate
with your team.
Fast
Implementation
Minimize disruption
and begin services
quickly.
Consistent
Communication
Reliable collaboration
with district
stakeholders.
Dedicated
Support
A responsive partner
from planning
through delivery.
Virtual & Hybrid
Options
Flexible service delivery
tailored to your
district.
Gettting Started with CARE is Simple
You’re one call away from getting efficient &
effective services for your students.
Still on the fence?
Here's what other schools think!
Let’s build a OT Services Plan that
Works for your District!
60+
School Districts
Supported
3,500 +
Students Served
This School Year
100 +
Licensed
Clinicians
8 +
Years Supporting
Schools
Questions? We have answers.
Can virtual therapy really work for school-based services?
Yes. When services are delivered by qualified school-based clinicians with strong collaboration, progress monitoring, and secure technology, virtual therapy can help schools maintain consistent support for students while reducing staffing gaps and service disruptions.
What are virtual related services?
Virtual related services are IEP-based supports delivered through secure online platforms, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, school psychology, and other specialized services. The goals, documentation, and accountability remain the same; the delivery model simply changes.
How do virtual, hybrid, and in-person therapy models compare?
Each model can work well depending on student needs, staffing realities, and district resources. Virtual services expand access to qualified providers, hybrid models combine remote support with on-site collaboration, and in-person services may be preferred when hands-on support is essential.
Will students stay engaged during virtual therapy?
Many students engage well when sessions are interactive, individualized, and supported by school staff when needed. Lighthouse therapists use activities, pacing, visual supports, and collaboration with school teams to help students participate meaningfully.
How can we help families feel comfortable with virtual services?
Families are more likely to support virtual services when they understand why the district is using them, how sessions work, how progress is monitored, and how students will be supported. Clear communication before services begin helps reduce uncertainty.
Do virtual therapy services still support IEP compliance?
Yes. Virtual related services are still tied to a student’s IEP goals, service minutes, documentation requirements, and progress monitoring. The delivery model changes, but the district’s responsibility to provide appropriate services remains the same.
Do students need an in-person facilitator for virtual services?
Not always, but an in-person facilitator or paraprofessional can be helpful, especially for younger students or students who need support with attention, redirection, materials, or technology. Lighthouse views facilitators as a best practice when student needs call for additional on-site support.
What technology or platform support is needed?
Virtual therapy typically requires a reliable internet connection, a device with audio/video capability, and a quiet space for the student. Lighthouse also provides platform and technical support so therapists and school teams can focus on services rather than troubleshooting.
How do we build buy-in from staff, families, and administrators?
Buy-in grows when stakeholders understand the “why” behind virtual services: provider shortages, service consistency, IEP support, and expanded access to qualified specialists. Early communication, stakeholder involvement, and clear answers to common questions help schools introduce services more smoothly.
How can Lighthouse help when we have staffing shortages?
Lighthouse helps districts fill service gaps by providing experienced clinicians through virtual, hybrid, and in-person models. This can support continuity of services, reduce pressure on internal teams, and help districts plan before shortages become crises.
How should we evaluate virtual therapy providers?
Look for providers that understand schools, support IEP compliance, communicate clearly, offer experienced clinicians, assist with implementation, and feel like an extension of your district team rather than a staffing vendor.
How much does virtual therapy cost compared to hiring a full-time employee?
The hourly rate for contracted therapy can look different from an employee salary, but school leaders should compare the full cost of an FTE, including benefits, recruiting, onboarding, HR, professional development, mileage, and administrative overhead.
Let's Build a Support Plan
That Works for Your District
Every district’s challenges are different, but the goal is always the same: ensuring students receive the services they need to thrive. Whether you’re addressing staffing shortages, planning ahead, or looking for a trusted therapy partner, Lighthouse Therapy is here to help with experienced clinicians and practical solutions tailored to your school’s needs.