Office of Physical and Occupational Therapy
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What is School-Based Occupational Therapy (OT)?
Occupational therapy services are provided to students who require the skilled intervention of an occupational therapist in order to participate in their education.
It is possible that a student may have a medical diagnosis or a fine motor delay, but it may not adversely affect their performance at school. Children who may qualify for outpatient therapy services may not qualify for school-based OT services. Students who are currently receiving occupational therapy from an outpatient therapy facility should continue with their outpatient therapy. School-based occupational therapy is not a replacement for medical-based, outpatient therapy.
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Eligibility for OT
If a student qualifies for special education services, the IEP team determines if the students’ skill deficits are affecting their academic progress. The occupational therapist may assess the student’s
- fine motor skills
- self-care skills
- sensory regulation skills
- social emotional skills
The school-based occupational therapist may also assess environmental barriers and provide equipment recommendations.
The team may determine that some students do not require direct occupational therapy services to address their needs but instead would benefit from adult-to-adult consultative services, which may include
- providing staff training
- assessing equipment and assistive technology needs
- collaborating with teachers and administrators on addressing environmental barriers
- collaborating with educators and community sites on transitioning to life after graduation
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Discharge from OT
The goal of providing occupational therapy in school is for students to become independent. The team will discuss discharging a student from occupational therapy services when the student has met their goals and is functionally independent with accommodations or modifications, when school staff are able to meet the student’s mobility needs without the skilled intervention of a therapist, or when the student no longer qualifies for special education.
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Learn More About School-Based OT:
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Ohio Department of Education
CMSD OT and PT Enrichment Activities
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What is School-Based Physical Therapy (PT)?
Physical therapy services are provided to students who require the skilled intervention of a physical therapist in order to participate in their education, including accessing the curriculum and the physical environment of the school.
It is possible that a student may have a medical diagnosis or a gross motor delay, but it may not adversely affect their performance at school. Children who may qualify for outpatient therapy services may not qualify for school-based PT services. Students who are currently receiving physical therapy from an outpatient therapy facility should continue with their outpatient therapy. School-based physical therapy is not a replacement for medical-based, outpatient therapy.
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Eligibility for PT
If a student qualifies for special education services, the IEP team determines if the students’ gross motor skills are affecting their academic progress. The physical therapist assesses the student’s gross motor skills, which may include
- walking on level surfaces and stairs
- using adaptive mobility devices (e.g., wheelchair or walker)
- participating in recess and group gross motor activities
- maintaining or changing positions (e.g., moving between sitting and standing or maintaining upright posture)
The school-based physical therapist may also assess environmental barriers and provide equipment recommendations.
The team may determine that some students do not require direct physical therapy services to address their motor needs but instead would benefit from adult-to-adult consultative services, which may include
- providing staff training on transfer techniques, guarding, or equipment use
- assessing equipment such as standers, walkers, wheelchairs, or orthotics
- collaborating with physical education teachers on modifications for accessing physical education
- collaborating with teachers and administrators on addressing environmental barriers
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Discharge from PT
The goal of providing physical therapy in school is for students to become independent with their functional mobility at school so that it no longer limits their academic progress and participation. The team will discuss discharging a student when the student has met their goals and is functionally independent with accommodations or modifications, when school staff are able to meet the student’s mobility needs without the skilled intervention of a therapist, or when the student no longer qualifies for special education.
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Learn More About School-Based PT:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Ohio Department of Education
CMSD OT/PT Enrichment Activities
