School OT thoughts

There is often confusion or lack of clarity as to the difference between school-based and community-based occupational and physical therapy services.  Parents, administrators, physicians, school personnel, and even therapists may benefit from clarification of these two different roles.  Knowledge of the responsibilities of therapists in each setting can help guide decision making, help determine what therapies are needed in which setting, and help determine how to effectively meet the unique needs of the student.

Occupational therapy & physical therapy in the school setting are considered a related service and are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education.  Practice in this area is governed by state and federal laws (i.e. IDEA 04, Section 504).  In order for a student to be eligible for services in the public school setting there must be the presence of an eligible disability, and this disability must interfere with the student’s participation in school activities relative to other students in the same environment, situation, and curriculum. School-based therapists focus on removing barriers from students’ ability to learn, helping students develop skills which increase their independence in the school environment, and educating school personnel about the different considerations required for students with disabilities.  Everything the therapist does with students in the school must be educationally relevant

Several agencies and organizations in the state of Wisconsin have collaborated in development of a pamphlet which helps to explain the differences between the provision of OT and PT in the school setting and the community setting and how each offers unique services for children.   This document can be found at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction site by following the links to page 1 and page 2 of the School-Based and Community Based Therapy Services-Brochure.  It is well worth reviewing.