Ever wondered about the transformative power of child-led methods in creating inclusive and empowered learning environments for students with special needs?Dr. Amy Coopersmith is here to share with us how students receiving special education experience occupation deprivation and the important role of child-led decision-making and planning in occupational therapy. Through her own personal examples and strategies, she shows how these approaches can help foster independence and self-advocacy, ultimately unleashing these students' potential.Tune in to hear more about many strategies, such as the use of choice boards, self-monitoring, and the "Captain Me" program.Listen now to learn the following objectives:Learners will understand the significance of establishing a least restrictive environment for children with disabilities to enhance their autonomy and learning opportunities.Learners will identify the importance of educators and occupational therapists actively listening to children, aiding them in formulating personal goals, and distinguishing between internally driven and externally imposed objectives to foster independence and empowerment.Learners will explore practical strategies for engaging children in decision-making, planning, and goal-setting within occupational therapy sessions, aiming to cultivate self-determination and independence.Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.comSee you in the next episode!