Smart and Ethical AI use in School-Based Therapy: What You Need to Know

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here and everchanging, making its way to becoming part of the everyday practice in schools. For therapists, AI can reduce administrative workload, generate activity ideas, and help adapt lessons for diverse learners. However, with these opportunities comes responsibility.

School-based occupational, physical, and speech therapists must navigate AI carefully and thoughtfully while embracing its benefits without compromising ethics, professional integrity, or student confidentiality.

How AI can Help Boost Efficiency for Therapists

Therapists in schools often juggle packed caseloads and stacks of paperwork. AI offers a supportive role by:

• Drafting progress note outlines or parent updates.
• Suggesting inclusive classroom strategies tailored to IEP goals.
• Helping brainstorm therapy activities that align with developmental milestones.

Ethical Boundaries in Practice

AI should never make clinical decisions. Evaluations, interpretations, and goal progress must be guided by a therapist’s training and expertise. As highlighted in professional ethics discussions, AI can support but must not replace professional judgment (Virtual Teacher Association, 2025).

Therapists remain accountable for every recommendation and report. AI is a tool, not a clinician!

Protecting Student Data

While using AI, do not put identifiable student information into non-secure AI platforms. Many tools are not compliant with education privacy laws and may store data in ways that violate regulations.

Therapists and districts should ensure any AI technology aligns with:

• FERPA – protecting student education records.
• HIPAA – safeguarding health-related information, when applicable.
• COPPA – preventing unauthorized data collection from young children.

District-approved, encrypted and secured platforms are the safest path forward.

Best Practices for School-Based Therapists

• Use AI only for non-sensitive tasks, like generating activity lists or brainstorming.
• De-identify information when inputting into tools.
• Review every AI suggestion because you’re the final editor.
• Work with your district’s IT and leadership teams to ensure vendor compliance and clear contracts for data protection.

AI has tremendous potential to reduce stress for school-based therapists and support better service delivery. However, efficiency must always be balanced with ethics and privacy. By staying informed and setting boundaries, therapists and schools can ensure AI strengthens, not risks, the support provided to students.

If you ever have questions or concerns about using AI in your practice, your Educational Therapy Manager is here to help!

Not an AOT therapist yet? We’d love for you to join our team! Explore career opportunities across PA & NJ: linktr.ee/austillsaot