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Occupational/Physical Therapy (OT/PT) as a Related Service
Definition
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy means services provided by a licensed occupational therapist or a licensed occupational therapy assistant pursuant to the provisions of Section 486.203, F.S., and includes improving, developing, or restoring functions impaired or lost through illness, injury, or deprivation; improving ability to perform tasks for independent functioning if functions are impaired or lost; and preventing, through early intervention, initial or further impairment or loss of function.Related service provider is defined to mean the licensed occupational therapist that is responsible for the assessment and provision of school-based occupational therapy as a related service.
This definition is found in State Board of Education (SBE) Rules 6A-6.03411,F.A.C. and 6A-6.03024, F.A.C.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy means services provided by a qualified physical therapist in accordance with Chapter 486, F.S.Related service provider means the licensed physical therapist responsible for the assessment and provision of school-based physical therapy as a related service.
This definition is found in State Board of Education (SBE) Rules 6A-6.03411,F.A.C. and 6A-6.03024, F.A.C.
Contacts
- Program Specialist: Karen Hallinan,
- District Contacts
State Laws and Regulations
The revised State Board of Education (SBE) Rule for occupational and physical therapy, 6A-6.03024, F.A.C., Provision of Occupational or Physical Therapy to Exceptional Students as a Related Service, approved by the State Board of Education on 7/17/12 and effective 8/22/12, combines occupational therapy and physical therapy as related services into one rule. The primary changes are the following:- Combines occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) into one rule
- Substantially rewrites Rule 6A-6.03024, F.A.C.
- Rule 6A-6.03025, F.A.C., Special Programs for Exceptional Students Who Require Occupational Therapy was repealed
- Clarifies that OT/PT are related services and not special programs, revises language to clarify the provision of OT/PT related to assessment, determination of educational need, and plan of treatment
- Definitions were added to the rule to identify that the occupational or physical therapist is responsible for the assessment/provision of school-based OT or PT as a related service, and that input is required from the occupational or physical therapist when the educational need for therapy is being determined and when the IEP, EP, or IFSP is being reviewed (if OT or PT is received by the student)
The revised rule references the OT & PT Practice Acts with regard to plan of treatment requirements and removes the requirement for a medical prescription.
Occupational Therapy
- Rule 6A-6.03024, F.A.C., Provision of Occupational or Physical Therapy to Exceptional Students as a Related Service
- Chapter 468, Florida Statutes – “Occupational Therapy Practice Act”
- Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
- Rule 64B11, F.A.C., Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
- Rule 64B11-4.003, F.A.C, Standards of Practice; Discipline
Physical Therapy
- Rule 6A-6.03024, F.A.C., Provision of Occupational or Physical Therapy to Exceptional Students as a Related Service
- Chapter 486, Florida Statutes – “Physical Therapy Practice Act”
- Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice
- Rule 64B17, F.A.C., Board of Physical Therapy Practice
- Rule 64B17-6.001, F.A.C., Minimum Standards of PT Practice
Florida Resources
Publications
- Technical Assistance Paper FY:1997-3 - Issues in Occupational and Physical Therapy (PDF, 120KB)
- Technical Assistance Paper: FY:1999-8 - Medicaid Certified School Match Program: Speech-Language, Physical, and Occupational Therapy
- Considerations for Educationally Relevant Therapy (CERT) Training Tool (PDF, 404KB)
- Assessments of Functional Skills: Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy (PDF, 1MB)
- This assessment guide is designed to provide occupational therapists and physical therapists with recommendations and suggestions for the development and assessment of skills in the educational environment and is to be used by OTs & PTs in conjunction with the student's individual educational plan team. The format of this guide directly correlates with the considerations for educationally relevant therapy (CERT; Florida Department of Education, 2005).
Projects
Websites
National Resources
- Center on Personnel Studies in Special Education: Personnel Issues in School-Based Occupational Therapy: Supply and Demand, Preparation, Certification and Licensure (PDF)
- Center on Personnel Studies in Special Education: Personnel Issues in School-Based Physical Therapy: Supply and Demand, Preparation, Certification and Licensure
- Council for Exceptional Children
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA): American Occupational Therapy Association
- AOTA: Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, 2nd Edition (Framework–II) (PDF)
- AOTA: Occupational Therapy in the Schools System Factsheet
- APTA: American Physical Therapy Association
- Including Your Child
- The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY)
- OSEP: The Office of Special Education
- OSERS: The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services