Supports & Services: Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND PHYSICAL THERAY IN THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

School-based occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are related services included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Children 3 to 22 years of age who meet criteria for special education services may be eligible for OT and/or PT services. Service needs are determined upon completion of school occupational therapy or physical therapy assessment and IEP team recommendation. School-based occupational therapists and physical therapists share in the decision-making process with the IEP team to determine how to meet the educational needs of individual students.

In the Los Angeles Unified School District, occupational therapy and physical therapy primarily focus on purposeful, goal directed activities that improve a student's functional performance during his/her school day. School occupational therapists and physical therapists:

• Assess students within their educational setting, using an ecological model to determine their needs;
• Provide treatment, program consultation, and environmental modifications for students with disabilities to improve performance within the educational environment; and
• Collaborate with team members, including students, parents, teachers, adapted physical education teachers, orientation and mobility specialists, and speech therapists, etc.
  School-based occupational therapy and physical therapy may include individual or small group treatment, consultation, monitoring or environmental adaptations.

School-based occupational therapy and physical therapy may include individual or small group treatment, consultation, monitoring or environmental adaptations.

WHAT IS SCHOOL-BASED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?

School-based occupational therapy and physical therapy may include individual or small group treatment, consultation, monitoring or environmental adaptations. School-based occupational therapy is a support service to a student's educational program. School occupational therapists use therapeutic activities that may improve a student's ability to function within the school environment in the areas of self-help. work and play. School occupational therapists assess the following areas:

• Postural stability
• Self-help skills
• Fine motor skills
• Visual perception and integration
• Sensory motor skills

Occupational therapy intervention may include adaptation of tasks or the environment in order to enhance student performance.

WHAT IS SCHOOL-BASED PHYSICAL THERAPY?

School-based physical therapy. which requires a medical diagnosis in order to provide treatment. is a support service t the student's educational program. School physical therapist use therapeutic activities that may improve a student's ability to physically access his her educational environment. Schoo physical therapists assess the following areas:

• Posture
• Balance
• Strenght
• Coordination
• Mobility
• Gross motor skills

Physical therapy intervention may include the use of environmental adaptations or assistive equipment.

The Ecologucal Model of Student Performance

The Ecological Model of Student Performance guides occupational therapists and physical therapists in determining the specific needs of a student within his/her educational program. The ecological model takes into account three factors:

• PostureStudent Abilities: The student's strengths and limitations in the educational environment.
  Curriculum: The program that guides what is taught in the classroom.
  Educational Environment: The setting in which the student learns.

The interaction between the student, curriculum and the environment affects student performance within the educational setting. School occupational therapy and physical therapy may be necessary to assist a student in accessing his/her educational program

ABOUT OUR THERAPIST

The Los Angeles Unified School District Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Program consists of a growing staff of over 100 qualified pediatric occupational therapists, physical therapists, and therapy assistants. The therapists are nationally certified and.-'or state licensed. Many of the therapists also hold a Master's or Doctoral degree. The staff come from diverse backgrounds and have experience in a variety of settings. Some therapists are actively involved in research, teach university level courses, and have published literature related to the fields of occupational therapy and physical therapy. Additionally, District therapists participate in continuing education training in a variety of clinical areas.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Occupational and Physical Therapy
333 S. Beaudry Avenue, 18th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 241-6200 Fax: (213) 241-8435