Case Study: North Adams School District achieves consistent OT access and improved student outcomes with PresenceLearning

Focusing on Successful Student Outcomes, Not Staffing Issues

North Adams Public Schools, a small district in the Berkshire foothills of Massachusetts, faced staffing and access challenges for occupational therapy: remote location, steep winter roads, and difficulty attracting specialists left the district unable to consistently serve a sudden influx of OT students. When a regional collaborative refused winter travel, administrators needed a reliable alternative to keep services on schedule.

North Adams implemented PresenceLearning’s online occupational therapy, with a local teaching assistant supporting hands-on activities while remote therapists led sessions. The quick rollout maintained consistent services through bad weather, increased student engagement (especially for students who respond well to technology), reduced caseload pressure, improved staff satisfaction, and prompted plans to expand teletherapy to additional students.

North Adams School District

Noreen Donnelly

Administrator of Special Education