Additional Related Services
The term Related Services refers to non-academic, school-based services that may be provided to support a student's success within the school environment. Most related services are provided through a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and assist students in developing specific skills according to their IEP goals.
Occupational Therapy
Robert DeareyOccupational Therapist
908-735-5511 X6164
An occupational therapist is a trained health care professional that uses purposeful, goal-directed activities and task analysis to enable students with a disability to benefit from their individualized education programs (IEPs). Federal law mandates that occupational therapy (OT) in the school system be educationally relevant. In the school setting, occupational therapy is a “related service” to special education under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act (IDEIA). This means that services must enhance or support educational goals as stated in the student’s IEP.
Occupational Therapists in the school setting look at certain skills, which may interfere with a student’s educational performance:
- Neuromuscular - range of motion, strength, postural control, shoulder stability
- Sensory Processing - vestibular (movement), tactile (touch), proprioception (joint sense), ocular motor skills (eye muscle movements)
- Motor Behavior - motor planning (ability to plan and perform movements) and bilateral coordination skills (using two hands together)
- Fine-motor development
- Handwriting
- Visual motor (non-motor) and perceptual motor (motor) skills
- Self-help skills
- Pre-vocational skills
The above areas can be addressed through a variety of intervention strategies, which may include direct therapy with the student, consultation with the teacher, modification of the environment, provision of adaptive equipment, and staff training.
Physical Therapy
Mary-Kate Willing
Physical Therapist
908-735-5511 X6145
A physical therapist is a trained health care professional that uses purposeful, goal-directed activities and task analysis to enable students with a disability to benefit from their individualized education programs (IEPs). Federal law mandates that physical therapy (PT) in the school system be educationally relevant. In the school setting, physical therapy is a “related service” to special education under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act (IDEIA). This means that services must enhance or support educational goals as stated in the student’s IEP.
Physical Therapists in the school setting look at certain skills which may interfere with a student’s educational performance:
- Neuromuscular - range of motions, strength, postural control, shoulder stability, joint ligamentous stability
- Sensory Processing - vestibular (movement), tactile (touch), proprioception (joint sense), visual-ocular reflex, muscle-force generation
- Motor behavior - motor planning (ability to plan and perform movements) and bilateral coordination skills (using two hands and feet together)
- Gross-motor development
- Developmental transitions and negotiate school environment
- Adaptive equipment needs (wheelchair, orthotics, helmets, etc.)
The above areas can be addressed through a variety of intervention strategies, which may include direct therapy with the student, consultation with the teacher, modification of the environment, provision of adaptive equipment, and staff training.