RIOTA Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) Presents:

 What’s Old Might Be New to You! Leveraging Occupational Therapy for Positive Outcomes through RTI and MTSS

Date: March 2, 2026

Location: New England Institute of Technology, Room TBA …In person meeting strongly encouraged; virtual option also available

Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Presenter: Kathleen Schlenz, OTR, ABD

Objectives:

1: Explain the purpose of RTI and MTSS in supporting all students;

2: Describe 3 specific benefits of including OTPs on RTI and MTSS leadership teams, specifically related to individual student outcomes;

3: Summarize 2 brod challenges faced by school communities that OTPs could help resolve when intentionally integrated into RTI and MTSS interventions. 

Course Description: The profession of Occupational Therapy is more than 100 years old! Yet many school systems still fail to take full advantage of all that these holistic and creative professionals can offer teams, students, and families. This engaging and interactive presentation will examine the intersection of school-based occupational therapy services and federal education mandates. More specifically, RTI (Response to Intervention) from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (2015) offer a platform to leverage the training and expertise of school-based occupational therapy services to optimize positive outcomes for all students. Positive outcomes include student-specific results, such as academic performance, self-regulation capacities, social participation, and self-efficacy/self-confidence. Positive outcomes might also include broader goals for the entire school community, including trauma-informed care practices, physical and technological accessibility, interprofessional team communication, and the critically important policies that drive valuable collaboration and allyship with families and community partners. Evidence-based practice resources that inform the implementation, fidelity, and cost-effectiveness of Occupational Therapy practitioners serving on RTI and MTSS leadership teams will be shared. The presentation will conclude with an interactive case study that explores the advantages of including Occupational Therapy practitioners on RTI and MTSS leadership teams from a wide variety of perspectives, including school administrators, educators, support staff, students, and families.

We are strongly encouraging in-person pediatric meetings that offer a hands-on component as this one does. We will also have a virtual offering but apologize because the camera/video option will not be of the highest quality, but we wish to be as inclusive as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

If you registered and cannot make the event, please email riota@riota.org to give us 24 hours notice. 

Please contact riota@riota.org for zoom link.

Please contact riota@riota.org for zoom link.

Please contact riota@riota.org for zoom link.

Please contact riota@riota.org for zoom link.