Educational Model
Therapy focuses on intervention to improve the student’s ability to learn, participate, and function in their educational programming.
The educational team includes parents, student when appropriate, educators, and therapists. Using therapists’ evaluations, the team collaborates to determine focus of service as well as frequency and duration based on the student’s educationally related therapy needs.Before an evaluation is conducted, students go through a referral process where intervention strategies are implemented by classroom staff in the student’s current educational setting.
Services are provided on school grounds.
Students’ ages range from birth through 22.
Services are provided at no cost to students.
A doctor’s prescription is not required to receive OT services in school. PT does need to contact a physician for notification of services and will request a prescription for PT services at school. The school district is not obligated to follow recommendations or a prescription for therapy services written by a medical doctor or an OT from an outpatient facility.
Direct therapy services are offered only to students with an Individual Education Plan (iep).
General education students are offered Consultation services on a MTSS basis.
Discontinuing therapy may occur when the student is no longer eligible for special education services or is participating in their school programming.
Medical Model
Therapy focuses on treatment to alleviate or cure specific underlying medical issues in the pathologies.
The medical team recommends focus, frequency, and duration of therapy. Third party (insurance) may be ultimate decision maker.
Treatment settings usually include clinic, hospital, and home.
Clients/patients span all age ranges.
Payment is on fee-for-service basis, covered by private insurance, governmental assistance or the family.
A doctor’s prescription is required for OT and PY evaluation and treatment. Insurance companies require this for billing purposes.
Therapy documentation is dictated by guidelines of the setting and insurance requirements. Emphasis is placed on medical terminology.
Discharge may occur when goals have been met, progress has been limited, insurance denies services and/or maximum number of visits has been reached.
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