The purpose of this capstone project is a program proposal to develop a training manual for school-based occupational therapists assigned to multidisciplinary preschool assessment teams utilizing evidence-based literature and research. This capstone was developed to address the increasing numbers of preschool children with special needs entering the public-school system as early as age three resulting in increased demand for trained occupational therapists to serve on assessment teams. It is designed for practitioner education and a source of references to streamline provision of services to ensure consistency throughout the district. It is intended to identify clear roles and expectations of school-based occupational therapists throughout the assessment process to ensure active participation as member of the multidisciplinary team. This project contributes to the field of occupational therapy by promoting the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Centennial Vision ansd Vision 2025, scholarship in occupational therapy, while using the language consistent with OT Practice Framework III. The key theoretical foundations for project are discussed as well.
