Identifying OT and PT as an IEP Resource

The principal role of school-based therapists is to assist students in benefiting from their educational program. Therapy services must contribute to the development, improvement, or maintenance of the student's functional level within the educational curriculum.

OT/PT should be identified as a resource only when a therapist's unique expertise is needed to meet an identified student's goals/objectives and when the absence of therapy services would prevent a student from benefiting from the educational program. It is important that the goals for the student be identified before deciding what therapy is needed.

Occupational and Physical Therapy Services in the school may include:

• One-on-one time working with the student
• Time working with the student in a group
• Consulting with classroom or educational staff regarding the student
• Developing a program of therapeutic activities to be carried out on a regular basis in the educational setting
• Monitoring and revising the student's program through ongoing assessment
• Providing and monitoring equipment for classroom adaptation
• Instructing and training educational staff regarding equipment use, therapy programs, and transfer techniques
• Attending meetings regarding student programming and progress
• Contact with parents
• Contact with non-educational professionals working with the student
• Documentation and report writing on behalf of the student