OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES UNDER AN EDUCATIONAL MODEL
Occupational therapy provided in a public school setting differs from services in other settings in two ways: eligibility for services and service provision.
Eligibility: In order for a student to be considered for occupational therapy services in the public school setting the following conditions must be met:
Presence of an eligible disability as outlined by Chapter 28 (CMR 28.02(7).
The disability must interfere with the student’s participation in school activities.
Services provided by special education personnel are not adequate to permit participation without the related service of occupational therapy.
Service Provision: Occupational therapy services are required to be provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE). This means that to the extent possible, the student must remain in the general education environment with peers who do not require special education services.
The OT service provider must consider all possible avenues that facilitate school participation and choose service options that are, to the extent possible, in the least restrictive environment.
cited by MAOT: Guidelines for Provision of Occupational Therapy Services in Massachusetts Public Schools