The experience of childhood trauma is prevalent and can have profound effects on one’s health, well-being, and occupational engagement. This is relevant in school systems today, as many children have faced traumatic experiences, significant disruptions in typical functioning, and adverse experiences in recent years. The already high prevalence of childhood trauma was further exacerbated due to the declaration of a national emergency of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic in March 2020. Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with negative impacts on one’s physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral health, which can negatively impact a child’s ability to be successful in school. Occupational therapists possess the unique knowledge base and skillset to support childhood physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and sensory development needed to support children with trauma exposure. To support optimal outcomes, occupational therapists use meaningful activities to promote children’s mental and physical well-being in relevant environments and contexts. The problem is that there are limited resources synthesizing best practices for occupational therapy practitioners to support trauma-informed care in the school setting. The program developed through completing this capstone project will serve as a comprehensive guide for applying evidence-based practices to the school-based occupational therapy process.
