The provision of school-based therapy is governed by state and federal laws. OT and PT are related services to special education that address motor deficits that impact a child’s ability to benefit from his/her specially designed program. Related services are recommended because the team agrees that they can best support the student’s special education program. The need for therapy services is not determined by diagnosis, low test scores, or other indications of a gross or fine motor deficit.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy consists of a student-centered continuum of services provided by a licensed occupational therapist or a licensed and supervised occupational therapy assistant. These services assist a student to engage in meaningful and/or necessary occupations that allow a student to participate in and benefit from special education. These occupations may include student role/interaction skills, learning academic learning, and process skills, personal care, play and recreation, written communication, and community integration and work. Occupational therapy services may include:

• Screening, evaluation, intervention, and documentation;
• Assistance with occupational performance when impaired or lost;
• Modification of environments (both human and physical) and tasks, and selection, design, and fabrication of assistive devices and other assistive technology to facilitate development, promote the acquisition of functional skills, and engagement in meaningful occupations;
• Integration of occupational therapy interventions into a student’s educational program to assist the student in participation and acquisition of goals;
• Collaboration with appropriate individuals to meet student’s needs, including transition planning; and
• Provide education and information to families and school personnel to assist with planning and problem-solving.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy consists of a continuum of services provided by a licensed physical therapist or a licensed and supervised physical therapy assistant. School-based physical therapy services are provided to develop and maintain performance levels, within an individual student’s physical abilities, for independent and safe access to educationally related activities. School-based physical therapy is a related service and is provided only as required to assist a child to benefit from special education. Physical therapy services may include:

• Development and maintenance of a student’s functional ability to participate in and benefit from his/her special education program; 
• Modification and adaptation of the student’s physical environment;
• Provision of training for school personnel;
• Communication and/or education of the student’s teachers and family;
• Communication with state and community agencies; and

Involvement in total program planning for children with disabilities, including transition planning.

Team Approach

• OT’s and PT’s work closely with teachers and other school personnel so skills gained are integrated into the student’s educational program and daily routine
• Inclusion in the classroom and other school settings such as the lunchroom, art, bathroom, playground or PE class is promoted whenever possible
• Parents have the opportunity to collaborate and learn strategies from the therapists to help their child

Assessment