Occupational Therapy FAQ
Q: How does my child get referred for occupational therapy services?
A: If a child is having difficulties in one or more of their school-related tasks, teachers will refer these students to the Response to Intervention (RtI) team or the Committee on Special Education (CSE). The RtI team or the CSE will determine which interventions may be necessary. If occupational therapy is a possible solution, then an evaluation will be recommended. Parental permission and a doctor’s prescription must be obtained in order for a child to be evaluated.
Q: Why does my child need a doctor's prescription?
A: By law, prescriptions are required from your child's physician for an occupational therapy evaluation and treatment. Please remember, a doctor's prescription must be renewed every school year in order for a child to receive OT treatment
Q: What does an occupational therapy evaluation consist of?
A: An occupational therapy evaluation consists of a teacher and a parent interview, observation, standardized and non-standardized tests which include:
Q: How does my child qualify for occupational therapy services?
A: If a child is found to have a significant delay in fine motor, visual perception and/or sensory motor and these delays negatively impact daily school functioning, he/she is entitled to receive occupational therapy services.
Q: When does my child stop receiving occupational therapy services?
A: A child is discharged from services when they have met his/her established occupational therapy goals and no longer exhibits delays affecting their daily school function.
A: If a child is having difficulties in one or more of their school-related tasks, teachers will refer these students to the Response to Intervention (RtI) team or the Committee on Special Education (CSE). The RtI team or the CSE will determine which interventions may be necessary. If occupational therapy is a possible solution, then an evaluation will be recommended. Parental permission and a doctor’s prescription must be obtained in order for a child to be evaluated.
Q: Why does my child need a doctor's prescription?
A: By law, prescriptions are required from your child's physician for an occupational therapy evaluation and treatment. Please remember, a doctor's prescription must be renewed every school year in order for a child to receive OT treatment
Q: What does an occupational therapy evaluation consist of?
A: An occupational therapy evaluation consists of a teacher and a parent interview, observation, standardized and non-standardized tests which include:
- The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT -2) is a test of motor proficiency.
- The Beery-Buktenica Development Test of Visual – Motor Integration (VMI) assess an individual's visual-motor integration skills.
- The Test of Visual Perceptual Skills 3rdedition (TVPS-3) assesses an individual’s visual perceptual abilities without requiring motor involvement when making a response.
Q: How does my child qualify for occupational therapy services?
A: If a child is found to have a significant delay in fine motor, visual perception and/or sensory motor and these delays negatively impact daily school functioning, he/she is entitled to receive occupational therapy services.
Q: When does my child stop receiving occupational therapy services?
A: A child is discharged from services when they have met his/her established occupational therapy goals and no longer exhibits delays affecting their daily school function.