Occupational & Physical Therapy

Occupational and physical therapists provide comprehensive therapy services for children from 3 to 21 years of age. Disability areas encompass all types of disabilities ranging from mild to profound. Services for school-aged children are available in center-based and district-based special education and regular education programs.

Occupational and physical therapy serve students with developmental delays, physical and/or neurological problems, as well as those with learning, emotional and behavioral disabilities. Both disciplines work with the educational team by:

• Assisting in providing a link between the school and related community services.
• Coordinating therapy interventions within the educational environment (classroom and vocational settings) in order to facilitate optimal function/participation.
• Providing individual programming for students.
• Providing in-service education to people involved in student’s care.
• Assisting in effective use of adapted classroom design and equipment.
• Providing information regarding the educational implications of physical impairments.

Services Provided

• Individual consultation and evaluation to identify students who are appropriate to receive therapy services within the educational setting – the evaluation may include the following areas: Motor Sills (gross, fine, sensory, oral): muscle tone, muscle strength, joint mobility, balance and coordination, self-help skills; posture; perceptual skills; sensory-motor integration.
• Assisting in selecting and monitoring adaptive equipment for positioning and mobility and functional skills.
• Consulting with other appropriate professionals in the selection and proper use of orthotics (splints and braces) and prosthetics.
• Sensory motor therapy to improve function within the educational environment.