Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy

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What is Occupational Therapy?

We hear this question often, so we  will try to clarify it for you. Occupational Therapy, or "O.T." is a profession that helps children and adults gain or regain independence in their ability to work, play and complete tasks of daily living. For children, their  "work" is school.  We help children to be as independent as possible in all tasks requiring developmental motor skills.  On a day-to-day basis, this might look like working on buttoning, putting on boots, tying shoes, writing, keyboarding, identifying shapes, drawing a picture of their friend, completing a craft project, or getting from their seat to the floor to listen to a story.  In the educational environment, O.T.s help the student to participate in activities required for learning.

Role of School O.T.

There is a difference between a clinical or medical model of Occupational Therapy and an educational or school-based model. If students need O.T. to rehabilitate a muscle injury, for instance, this short-term type of therapy would be provided in an outpatient setting such as a pediatric or sports-medicine clinic. If developmental delays or sensory impairments require ongoing therapy to improve tolerance and performance at home and school, this more intensive therapy would probably be best provided in a clinical setting. If the student requires assistance to complete school-related tasks such as cutting, writing, buttoning, keyboarding, carrying their backpack, eating their lunch, etc. or requires adaptive equipment to see their work, use the computer, etc. this would be addressed by a school therapist. We often collaborate with service providers outside of school such as a private evaluator or home therapist. We also work as a team at school providing assistance to our students and teachers along with other Special Education staff such as Speech/Language Therapists, Physical Therapists, Special Education Teachers, Social Workers, and other providers.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapists (P.T.s) are health care professionals who evaluate and manage health conditions for people of all ages. Typically individuals consult a PT for the management of medical problems or other health-related conditions that; cause pain, limit their ability to move, and limit the performance of functional activities. PTs also help prevent health conditions through prevention, restoration of function and through fitness and wellness programs that achieve healthy and active lifestyles. PTs evaluate individuals, diagnose conditions, and develop management plans using treatment techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.

What is the role of School-based P.T.?

Physical therapy is a related service provided to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. School physical therapy focuses on a child's ability to move as independently as possible in the school environment. The school physical therapist evaluates the child's ability to move throughout the school and to participate in classroom activities.

Physical therapy interventions are designed to enable the student to travel throughout the school environment; participate in classroom activities; maintain and change positions in the classroom; as well as manage stairs, restrooms, cafeteria, playground and other school-related environments.

Referral Process

In order to qualify for Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy services in the school setting, a student must be referred through the Special Education Referral Process. No student can get only O.T. or P.T. services, as they are federally mandated as a support service only. This means that it must be necessary in order for the student to benefit from their Special Education program. If there is no other Special Education service, then this requirement is not met.  We have often been asked, and are happy to oblige, to observe a child in their classroom or other Regular Education environment to look at pencil grasp, posture, written language, seating, etc. and make suggestions that can be carried out in the home and school settings.  A student can also qualify for services under the "504" process which guarantees access to school for all students, regardless of disability.

More information on Special Education and 504 guidelines can be found by clicking below:

Special Education eligibility guidelines

504 guidelines - M.S.A.D. 71

How to Contact Us:

Giulia Fornaro - gfornaro@msad71.net

                        voice mail at K.E.S. 985-2383

Tracy Mason - tmason@msad71.net

                    voice mail at K.E.S. 985-2383

Melissa Camire - mcamire@msad71.net

                        Sea Road School 985-1105

Sue Richardson - srichardson@msad71.net

                        voice mail at M.S.K. 467-8004 ext. 2010

Here is some more information about O.T.and P.T.-related topics:

Sensory Integration

Here are some activities that you can use to help reinforce skills at home. Just click on the words to take you to that page:

Hand Strength and Dexterity

 Visual-motor skills (Eye-Hand Coordination)

Here are some links that you might find helpful:

A.O.T.A. (American Occupational Therapy Association)

A.P.T.A. (American Physical Therapy Association)

C.H.A.D.D. (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder)