A little about us.....
OT and PT are related services provided to assist a student in accessing his/her educational program. The student must have a
recognized disability or disorder which adversely affects his/her educational performance which includes developmental, academic and
functional skills. A student may receive OT or PT as a related service under special education as directed by an Individualized Education
Program (IEP) or as part of a Section 504 Plan, if an educational need identified. Within the schoolenvironment, all OT and PT services
are provided as a support to enhance the student's ability to access his/her educational program, then school-based therapy is
needed.IDEA requires the provision of related services, including occupational and physical therapy(OT/PT) in the school setting.
recognized disability or disorder which adversely affects his/her educational performance which includes developmental, academic and
functional skills. A student may receive OT or PT as a related service under special education as directed by an Individualized Education
Program (IEP) or as part of a Section 504 Plan, if an educational need identified. Within the schoolenvironment, all OT and PT services
are provided as a support to enhance the student's ability to access his/her educational program, then school-based therapy is
needed.IDEA requires the provision of related services, including occupational and physical therapy(OT/PT) in the school setting.
What is Physical Therapy?Physical therapy is a related service provided to
assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. School physical therapy focuses on a child's ability to move as independently as possible in the school environment. The school physical therapist evaluates the child's ability to move throughout the school and to participate in classroom activities. The decision of whether a child with a disability qualifies for school physical therapy is made by a team. This team determines whether the child has a disability, has a need for special education, and requires related services such as physical therapy. Physical therapy interventions are designed to enable the student to travel throughout the school environment; participate in classroom activities; maintain and change positions in the classroom; as well as manage stairs, restrooms, and the cafeteria. |
What is Occupational Therapy?Occupational therapy is a health profession in which
therapists and therapy assistants help individuals to do and engage in the specific activities that make up daily life. For children and youth in schools, occupational therapy works to ensure that a student can participate in the full breadth of school activities—from paying attention in class; concentrating on the task at hand; holding a pencil, musical instrument, or book in the easiest way; or just behaving appropriately in class. Occupational therapy practitioners also work to provide consultation to teachers about how classroom design affects attention, why particular children behave inappropriately at certain times, and where best to seat a child based on his or her learning style or other needs. Occupational therapy may be recommended for an individual student for reasons that might be affecting his or learning or behavior, such as motor skills, cognitive processing, visual or perceptual problems, mental health concerns, difficulties staying on task, disorganization, or inappropriate sensory responses. |