A REFERRAL FOR OCCUPATIONAL OR PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES MAY BE WARRANTED IF:

• Significant assistance is required to perform motor skills which peers are performing independently 
• Skill deficits impair ability to meet educational goals 
• Impairments fall under occupational or physical therapy services as defined in the MCSD Occupational and Physical Therapy Manual

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICE AREAS

• School Related Self-Care
• Written expression
• Functional positioning 
• Assistive Technology support 
• Accessing computers and other classroom equipment 
• Support school personnel

PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICE AREAS

• Functional Mobility 
• Positioning 
• Transfer training 
• Support school personnel

Occupational and Physical Therapy

Referral Process

Initiated by:

A. Teacher/SST Committee

B. Parent

C. Related School Personnel

• Referral Form completed by teacher and parent. Form must be signed by parent granting permission for evaluation.

• Form sent to and received by OT/PT Department at Columbus Roberts Center

• Evaluation Initiated

Evaluation Process
Occupational Therapy: Student performance will be observed in the classroom and school setting. Samples of class work may be reviewed. Standardized and non-standardized testing may be conducted as needed. Teacher and/or parent may be interviewed at this time.

Physical Therapy: Student’s gross motor skills will be observed in the classroom and school setting. Some "hands-on" evaluation may be required to determine strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Teacher and/or parent may be interviewed at this time.

Results of Evaluation

A staffing will be scheduled with the IEP team which may include, but is not limited to the teacher, parent, and related school personnel. The results of the evaluation will be reported by the therapist. If the student does not qualify for services, minutes will be recorded and the process will be completed. If the student does qualify, a delivery model and treatment approach will be recommended and approved.

Delivery Model

Itinerant: Direct contact with student on an ongoing basis to address weaknesses identified during evaluation process.

Consultative: Indirect treatment which will include consultation with teacher/classroom staff to set up the environment or establish programs to be carried out by classroom staff on a regular basis. Limited direct treatment will be provided as needed.

Occupational and Physical Therapy are RELATED services which means: Occupational and physical therapy services are provided in school to support educational goals. These services can not be provided independent of those goals. The occupational and physical therapists support the teacher with specifically trained unique skills which help to enhance the educational process. Medical issues which do not interfere with performance at school are not addressed.

Occupational Therapy is a profession with medical roots. Occupational therapists are trained to identify and treat a variety of sensory and motor disabilities which limit performance of daily skills. In the school setting, daily skills addressed must be educationally relevant. Purposeful activity is a primary tool used in treatment to promote performance of a functional task as independently as possible.

Physical Therapy is a profession with medical roots. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and treat a variety of sensory and motor disabilities. In the school setting, physical therapy programs are individually designed to help each student attain his/her optimal educational potential. As in occupational therapy, the achievement of performing a functional task independently is the ultimate goal; therefore, discharge planning is always included in a student's treatment plan.

Occupational and Physical Therapy Department

Columbus Roberts Center

539 Brown Avenue

Columbus, GA 31906

706-748-2210   Fax 706-748-2176   Email mcsdtherapy@hotmail.com

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