Raejean Burton Lopez, MOT, OTR/L

OTPs in pediatric & school-based practice—your voice matters!
AOTA CYSIS wants your input to guide our topics, events, resources & advocacy this year.

Scan the QR code to take the survey.

#pediatricoccupationaltherapy #AOTACYSIS #schoolbasedOT

OTPs in pediatric & school-based practice—your voice matters!
AOTA CYSIS wants your input to guide our topics, events, resources & advocacy this year.

Scan the QR code to take the survey.

#pediatricoccupationaltherapy #AOTACYSIS #schoolbasedOT

Observing Romjul in Selji, Norway. Traveling, being in nature, and reading are restorative occupations I am prioritizing in this week between holidays before diving into dissertation writing in January.

Today we honor the IDEA — the law that opened doors, protected student rights, & created the foundation for the work school-based OTs do every day. The Dept of ED is facing threats that could weaken federal oversight of special education. As advocates for inclusion our voices are needed. #IDEA50thOT

7.5 million students, 3-21 years old receive special education, & 540,000 infants and toddlers under 3 years old receive early intervention services mandated by IDEA. 50 years ago, children with disabilities were not guaranteed a right to a free & appropriate public education. #IDEA50thOT

I am grateful for all the OTPs who come together in community to support, teach, encourage, & share with other OTPs. Through our community we are able to show up in our schools to help children learn, play, & grow in their roles as a students. #occupationaltherapy #schoolbasedot

The federal gov currently provides around $12-13 B annually under IDEA, but that still covers less than 12-15% of the nation’s cost of educating students with disabilities, far from the original 40% promise. Advocacy groups estimate a funding gap of nearly $39 B in 2024–25. #IDEA50thOT #aota

Share how you are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of IDEA use #IDEA50thOT to tag your post!

❤️ IDEA has opened the doors of education for millions of students. Occupational therapy helps ensure those doors lead to meaningful participation, learning, and growth.❤️

#IDEA50thOT #occupationaltherapy #schoolbasedOT #aota #specialed

LRE means students with dis should be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. It’s about access & support, not just physical presence. The focus is on belonging, participation, & meaningful learning, not just physical placement.
#IDEA50thOT

FAPE ensures every eligible child with a disability has access to spec ed & related services designed to meet their unique needs. OTPs help ensure students can participate in their educ programs, access the curriculum, & engage in daily school routines & activities. #IDEA50thOT

Before 1975, more than 1M children with disabilities were excluded from public schools, and millions more did not receive the specialized instruction or services they needed. Families often had to fight for their children’s right to simply attend school. #IDEA50thOT

President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act on November 29, 1975. This legislation marked a historic commitment to inclusion and equity in education. #IDEA50thOT

AOTA CYSIS is excited to share the IDEA 50th Anniversary Toolkit. Inside you’ll find: handout; activities for the whole school, classrooms, & OT sessions; displays; & resources.
Download the toolkit here: cysis.aota.org/advocacy/
Show us how you’re celebrating! Post photos using #IDEA50thOT

Join the AOTA CYSIS in celebrating 50 years of IDEA! Reflect with occupational therapy practitioners across the country on what IDEA means for us today and the future.
#IDEA50thOT #occupationaltherapy #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #pedsot #schoolbasedot #schoolbasedoccupationaltherapy #aota

I'm looking for a tactile/haptic number line estimation task to use with children 5-8 years old. Any suggestions on papers to check out for this task? #embodiedcognition #numericalcognition #numbersense #mindbraineducation #academicsky #research #phdlife

Please join CYSIS for our May Practice chat on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 7-8pm EST. The session will focus on understanding advocacy do's & don'ts, crafting impactful messages, and aligning efforts with current federal priorities. Excited to see you there! Register at: www.aota.org/events/calen...

What’s on everyone’s summer reading list? #summerreading #reading #summerbreak

I’m wanting to use @notion.com to help me manage and track projects across my dissertation research, professional work groups, and personal/wellness goals. I would love recommendations on how to start with notion. #phdlife #docstudent #academia

I made it to #AOTAINSPIRE. I look forward to meeting up with OT colleagues! #OT #AOTA

Luggage and backpack leaning against a window. Airport runway is visible through the window.

On my way to #AOTAInspire2025. Can’t wait to connect with fellow OTs. #OT #AOTA #Inspire2025

Happy Occupational Therapy Month! I feel fortunate to have a career helping others live their lives to the fullest. #OT

What are you looking forward to doing or seeing at #AOTA #Inspire2025 next week? #OT

Who's going to AOTA #Inspire2025 next week? If you're presenting please shoutout your presentation and posters in the comments. #AOTA #OT #Academia #Research

Raejean Lopez is seated on a patio wearing a light blue sweater. Rudd Turnbull is leaning down beside her with his hand on her shoulder. Rudd is wearing a blue and red plaid button shirt and red shorts.

The disability advocacy community lost a leader & teacher in Rudd Turnbull. His work shaped the field of spec educ & disability law. I’m grateful our paths crossed & to learn from his unwavering dedication to equality & justice. May his memory be a blessing & his legacy continue to inspire us all.

The NIH website is down. Anyone have any insight or information? Do we think it’s coming back, or is all that tax funded research gone forever?

Here’s your opportunity to engage w/ Abe Saffer, #AOTA federal lobbyist, & discuss #school-basedOT. Share challenges, ask questions, or just listen in as Abe shares updates on AOTA’s work in #education policy and gathers insights to inform advocacy efforts. Register www.aota.org/events/calen...

Please share with your occupational therapy practitioner colleagues working in pediatric settings. #occupationaltherapy #OT #pedsOT #schoolbasedOT #earlyinterventionOT

Light blue background with yellow infographic cellphone containing a QR code on the cellphone screen. Link to survey at the bottom.

OT Practitioners & Students! The AOTA Children & Youth Special Interest Section (CYSIS) needs your input! Take our quick survey and help us shape programming, resources, and opportunities designed with you in mind. Share your voice: forms.gle/FCQXLR8tj8XE...
#AOTA #CYSIS #OccupationalTherapy

I just talked to an experienced classroom teacher. She likely knows more about assessment and student needs than any of us. Education researchers are you drawing your next inquiry from the work and expertise of teachers? If not, why?

Teachers are experts.

#EduSky
#EducationalReaserch
#AcademicSky