Greetings PedsProVT Community!
As an occupational therapist, I’d like to give a shout-out to the fellow OTs and COTAs in our community in recognition of Occupational Therapy Month. Your work makes a meaningful difference every day.
What is school-based occupational therapy? American Occupational Therapy Association has developed a helpful handout for administrators, school teams, and families that clearly explains what Occupational Therapy is and the impact it has on students. https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/practice/children/school-administrator-brochure.pdf
There are quite a few free resources available to celebrate OT Month (even if you’re not an OT).
Your Therapy Source is an online resource providing printable materials, digital downloads, and professional tools for occupational and physical therapists. I personally enjoyed many of the blog postshttps://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2025/12/20/stimming-behaviors/ and the free two-page comic book printable. Enjoy!
The OT Toolbox is an educational website and online resource hub focused on occupational therapy (OT) tools, strategies, and professional development. It provides evidence-based materials for therapists, educators, and parents to support sensory, fine motor, and self-regulation skills in children.
April is also Autism Awareness Month; it is observed every April to increase understanding, acceptance, and support for people with autism and their families. Goals of the month include:
- Promote acceptance and inclusion (not just awareness)
- Educate communities about autism and neurodiversity
- Support individuals and families through resources and advocacy
- Highlight strengths and contributions of autistic people
I wanted to share a helpful resource from OCALI—their Autism Center offers a convenient “grab-and-go” gallery of intervention resources that can be easily accessed and used in practice. Some resources include Breathing Technique visuals, 5 Point Scale, Graphic Organizers, Choice Boards, First/Then, Power Cards, and much more! https://ocali.org/resource_gallery_of_interventions/Power-Cards
Vermont offers a range of valuable resources to support individuals with autism and their families, including collaborative, community-based, and advocacy-driven organizations. The UVM Autism Collaborative brings together autistic individuals, families, clinicians, and researchers to improve quality of life through inclusive, interdisciplinary research and shared resources, with a strong focus on community engagement and autistic-centered care. In addition, the Vermont Autism Alliance offers families support, information, and resources to understand diagnoses and guide them through next steps after diagnosis. Statewide efforts such as The ASD Work Group help bring providers and families together to share expertise, identify service needs, and strengthen systems of care. Key resources in Vermont include Vermont Family Network for support, All Brains Belong VT for healthcare, and Autism Speaks for advocacy, along with the Developmental Disabilities Services Division. These combined efforts reflect Vermont’s strong commitment to collaboration, accessibility, and improving outcomes for individuals on the autism spectrum across the lifespan.
In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month and Occupational Therapy Month, we celebrate not only the individuals and families we support, but also the dedicated practitioners who make meaningful participation possible every day.
Be Well,
Catherine Armani-Munn