The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) identifies occupational and physical therapy as related services for eligible children ages 3-21 years who require assistance to benefit from a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
The Directors of Occupational and Physical Therapy, working under the Office of Related and Contractual Services (ORCS), work in conjunction with the ISCs in the development of policy and guidelines for the OT/PT Program. ORCS also provides professional development for ISC OT/PT Supervisors and ISC OT/PT Staff; manages the OT/PT Scholarship Program, and; monitors and maintains the Registry of Independent OT/PT Providers.
Each Integrated Service Center (ISC) has OT and PT Supervisors that oversee the day to day activities of the OT/PT Staff. ISC OT/PT Supervisors provide clinical and administrative support to the occupational and physical therapists, and work closely with schools in matters of therapist assignment and compliance.
Roles of Occupational and Physical Therapists in the Educational Model
Key Points of Information:
- School based OT/PT services are special education services and may be recommended for a student who first qualifies for special education services.
- A doctor’s referral is required to add OT/PT service on a student’s IEP.
- OT/PT providers can provide services to students on an individual, group or consultative basis, as recommended on the IEP.
- OT/PT providers can provide training/professional development to school staff on related topics, such as performance of safe transfers, classroom exercise programs, etc.
- DOE utilizes a three tier system of OT/PT service provision: (1) DOE provider, if available; (2) Agency provider, if no DOE therapist is available; or (3) Related Service Authorization, when neither DOE nor Agency therapist can provide services.
- A DOE OT or PT provider is responsible for performing evaluations of students in their assigned schools.
- Prior to an evaluation, it is best that a DOE provider (present in the school) screen a student who is showing gross and fine motor issues that is affecting his/her schooling, and provide strategies that a teacher can implement.
Suzanne Sanchez, Director of Occupational Therapy
49-51 Chambers Street
Room 600
New York, NY 10007
Phone 212-374-7606
Fax 212-374-9435
SSanchez8@schools.nyc.gov
Carlo Vialu, Director of Physical Therapy
49-51 Chambers Street
Room 600
New York, NY 10007
Phone 212-374-2143
Fax 212-374-9435
CVialu@schools.nyc.gov