New Hanover County Schools
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Occupational Therapy Staff

 SCHOOL BASED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

NAME & TITLE

CELL

SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS

Cindy Hancock  MS, OTR/L

 

367-9050

Codington, Pre-K Design Team

Danielle Alden MS, OTR/L

 

367-9429

College Park, Holly Tree, Parsley

Elizabeth Beamer OTR/L

 

471-4770

Head Start, Laney, Murrayville, Ogden, Trask

Andrea Busch OTR/L

 

612-0944

Anderson, Howe, Isaac Bear, Sunset Park, Wilmington Early College, Winter Park

Angelika Lacer OTR/L

398-7683

Forest Hills, Freeman, Gregory, New Hanover High, Snipes, Williston, Wrightsboro

Amanda Morgan MS, OTR/L

 

742-6741

Alderman, Codington, Hoggard, Howe, Johnson Pre-K, Myrtle Grove, Pine Valley, Roland Grise, Virgo

Danielle Persiani COTA/L

 

742-6002

Assists Occupational Therapists at various schools

Mollie Rackley OTR/L

 

540-1551

Blair, Bradley Creek, Castle Hayne, Eaton, Holly Shelter, Noble, Wrightsville Beach

Crystal Strickland COTA/L

 

200-8680

Assists Occupational Therapists at various schools

Teresa Tomsic  OTR/L

 

619-5812

Ashley, Bellamy, Carolina Beach, Lake Forest Academy, Mosley/TPYA/APS, Murray, Williams

Click on therapist's name to send email


In a school setting, occupational therapy is provided to enable an identified student with disabilities to engage in meaningful and/or necessary occupations that allow participation in the student's educational program. IDEA 2004 and state special education laws mandate the provision of occupational therapy services if needed for student to access and benefit from educational programs in the least restrictive environment. Occupational therapy is a student-centered service provided by licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

Reference: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction: Occupational Therapy in North Carolina Schools. Retrieved on May 20, 2009, from http://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/ocsci/nc-school-based-ot-site.

Occupational therapy services may include:

  • Identification, screening, evaluation, intervention and consultation
  • Adaptation of environments, both human and physical, and selection, design, and fabrication of assistive and orthotic devices and other assistive technology to facilitate development and promote the acquisition of functional skills so that the child can perform tasks in the least restrictive environment
  • Prevention or minimization of the impact of initial or further impairment, delay in development, or loss of functional ability
  • Provision of in service education and information to families, school personnel, and community and state agencies to assist with problem solving, program planning, and priority setting


New Hanover County Schools Special Education and Related Services Department employs seven Occupational Therapists and two Occupational Therapy Assistants to work with students. This staff is based at the Dale K. Spencer Building, 1802 S. 15th St., Wilmington, NC 28401.

Links for more information:
NHCS Referral Process
American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

RESOURCES
Handwriting Without Tears
The Alert Program: How Does Your Engine Run?
Brain Gym

ACTIVITY IDEAS
Do 2 Learn: Educational Resource for Special Needs
DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids

PRODUCTS
Therapy Shoppe
Therapro
Beniks Corporation