Occupational Therapy in the Educational Setting

Occupational Therapy can occur in numerous settings: Hospitals, Out-Patient Rehabiliation settings, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Mental Health Facilities and in Schools Systems. In the school system, Occupational Therapy can be a Related Service to students who have an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), or a direct service for students who have a 504 Plan.

Occupational Therapy provides a continuum of services to assist students in accessing their curriculum. Occupational Therapy addresses deficits that negatively impact a student's academic performance. Some deficit areas that OTs address are:

• Fine Motor
• Gross Motor
• Visual Motor/Visual Perception
• Sensory Processing/Sensorimotor
• Muscle Strength and Tone
• Self Care Skills
• Independent Living Skills

Physical Therapy in the Educational Setting

Per the State of Illinois Physical Therapy Practice Act, "Physical Therapy" means the evaluation or treatment of a person by the use of the effective properties of physical measures and heat, cold, light, water, radiant energy, electricity, sound, and air, and the use of therapeutic massage, therapeutic exercise, mobilization, and the rehabiliative procedures with or without assistive devices for the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a physical or mental disability, or promoting physical fitness and well-being".

In the educational setting Physical Therapy is a related service, part of a student's total educational program. Therapy is directed towards allowing the student with disability equal educational opportunities in a least restrictive environment. This is done by promoting increased independence in the areas of functional mobility and safety with mobility.