What are occupational therapy services in the school setting and what is the role of the therapist?
Occupational therapy in the school setting is a related service which provides assistance to students already in special education allowing them to benefit from specially designed educational programs. The occupational therapist supports the student’s ability to gain access to the general education curriculum in accordance with his/her Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and to function across all educational settings. Federal and state laws mandate that occupational therapy services provided in the schools are educationally relevant.*
Occupational therapists in the schools work with students on skills which typically fall in the areas of fine motor, visual motor, self-help and self-regulation needed to access curriculum and/or the physical environment. The occupational therapist uses a problem solving approach to task analyze educational activities in order to help the student participate more successfully and access the educational environment.
A student must be referred, an assessment completed (with parent consent), and an ARD committee decision made based off of the evaluation information for a student to qualify for occupational therapy services in the school environment.
What is the difference between school based occupational therapy and private occupational therapy?
Although occupational therapy interventions used with the student at school may be the same as interventions used in private therapy, priorities may be different. Outside the school system, therapy focuses on optimizing the child’s functional and physical performance in relation to medical considerations and needs in the home and community settings. Sessions are typically provided in a one-on-one setting focusing on discrete skill development. In the school setting, therapy focuses on the student accessing the curriculum and school environment and must be educationally relevant. In the schools, the goals and interventions address the student’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance. Eligibility for private occupational therapy services does not necessarily mean the student will qualify for occupational therapy services in the school setting.
*20 U.S.C. §§ 1401, 1414, 7801; 34 C.F.R. Part 300; Texas Education Code; 19 T.A.C. Chapter 89
Occupational therapy in the school setting is a related service which provides assistance to students already in special education allowing them to benefit from specially designed educational programs. The occupational therapist supports the student’s ability to gain access to the general education curriculum in accordance with his/her Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and to function across all educational settings. Federal and state laws mandate that occupational therapy services provided in the schools are educationally relevant.*
Occupational therapists in the schools work with students on skills which typically fall in the areas of fine motor, visual motor, self-help and self-regulation needed to access curriculum and/or the physical environment. The occupational therapist uses a problem solving approach to task analyze educational activities in order to help the student participate more successfully and access the educational environment.
A student must be referred, an assessment completed (with parent consent), and an ARD committee decision made based off of the evaluation information for a student to qualify for occupational therapy services in the school environment.
What is the difference between school based occupational therapy and private occupational therapy?
Although occupational therapy interventions used with the student at school may be the same as interventions used in private therapy, priorities may be different. Outside the school system, therapy focuses on optimizing the child’s functional and physical performance in relation to medical considerations and needs in the home and community settings. Sessions are typically provided in a one-on-one setting focusing on discrete skill development. In the school setting, therapy focuses on the student accessing the curriculum and school environment and must be educationally relevant. In the schools, the goals and interventions address the student’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance. Eligibility for private occupational therapy services does not necessarily mean the student will qualify for occupational therapy services in the school setting.
*20 U.S.C. §§ 1401, 1414, 7801; 34 C.F.R. Part 300; Texas Education Code; 19 T.A.C. Chapter 89