Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy-Oahe Special Education Cooperative

Oahe Special Education Cooperative

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

Related Services
Children who are eligible for Special Education may also be eligible for related services. Related services are extra programming or therapy to address areas of need for children who have difficulties in more than academics. Two such services are Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.  These therapies are available to children who meet eligibility requirements and are on an IEP for Special Education.
Physical Therapy
 Strength doesn't come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't.
Physical Therapy addresses the development of strength and endurance for movements such as walking, running, and ascending and descending stairs. In addition to these basic skills, it also addresses the instruction of skills needed for peer participation in Physical Education and recreational activities such as playing darts, swimming, bowling, and shooting baskets. These skills are important not only to teach and maintain fitness; but, they are also important activities for recreation and entertainment when with friends and family.
 
Occupational Therapy
is where science, creativity, and compassion collide.
Occupational Therapy addresses self-help skills, visual-motor perception, and employment skills. It teaches the fine motor skills needed for independent activities such as zipping a coat, tying shoes, closing buttons, and putting on socks. Also, the motor skills for personal hygiene such as brushing teeth, combing hair, and shaving can be needs for students with physical limitations. Important academic skills such as printing, writing, cutting, and drawing can be addressed in occupational therapy. Some children might have adequate fine motor skills, but have difficulty coordinating their movements with what they see. These children benefit from activities such as completing mazes with-in lines, imitating building patterns with blocks, and following ordinal and spatial directions. Older students might benefit from Occupational Therapy to learn employment and independent living skills.