The role of an occupational therapist (O.T.) in the education of emotionally disturbed children is examined. The neurological involvement of many emotionally disturbed children is linked to abnormal responses from sensory input and distortion or disorganization of perception. Possible explanations for differences between emotionally disturbed and learning disabled children are cited. The O.T. is seen to be capable of translating the child's behavior in view of neurological deficits and of remediating the sensorimotor difficulties. (CL)