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Occupational & Physical Therapy for School Based Settings

How do Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services support the students of
Gill-Montague Regional School District?

Occupational and Physical Therapists are health professions that are part of the multidisciplinary school team that supports all students. We help students to develop fine and gross motor skills, sensory-motor skills, play skills, self-care skills and visual motor skills which make up their daily academic lives. We work with students in all school buildings, aged 3 to 21, to enhance their access to public education. Usually, services are provided to students with disabilities, but we also are available to consult with teachers, support staff, special educators, other service providers and school administration on ways to enhance all students’ successful participation in daily school activities. The ways in which and Physical Therapists support our students and school community include:

Conduct screenings and evaluations for students with suspected disabilities
Collaborate with teachers and staff to ensure access to the curriculum
Provide support to parents for improving your child’s skills
Facilitate the development of age appropriate motor planning skills
Navigating the school environment, hallways, classrooms or playground
Build strength, balance, flexibility and dexterity to manipulate objects, participate in group activities, remain seated in the classroom.
Boost Play skills to interact with peers
Promote Self-care skills for independence
Develop visual or visual perceptual skills
Support the acquisition of Literacy Skills
Producing written work to show what they are learning
Provide access to assistive technology, if appropriate
Ensuring access to adaptive equipment for mobility and classroom support is in good working order and appropriate for each student’s need.
Following classroom routines.
Managing self-regulation for effective participation
Organizing school belongings
Reducing dysfunctional sensory responses
Improving concentration to the task at hand
Using classroom tools

Who are we?

Jenni Koonz, Physical Therapist, Jennifer.Koonz@gmrsd.org
Linda Gordon, Occupational Therapist, linda.gordon@gmrsd.org
Katie Hildreth, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Katie.Hildreth@gmrsd.org

For Further Information:

What Parents Need to Know About School-Based Occupational Therapy: https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/CY/Articles/School-consumer.aspx

Occupational Therapy’s Role in the School Setting. https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/School%20Settings%20fact%20sheet.pdf

Successful Participation at School: Strategies for All Students

https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Tips-for-Educators-Successful-Participation-School-Strategies-for-All-Students.pdf

Occupational Therapy and School Mental Health

https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Secure/Practice/Children/OT%20and%20School%20Mental%20Health.pdf

Successful Participation at School: Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/ASD-Tips-for-Educators-Successful-Participation-at-School.pdf

Physical Therapy in the School Setting-APTA

https://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/Advocacy/Federal/Legislative_Issues/IDEA_ESEA/PhysicalTherapyintheSchoolSystem.pdf

Providing Physical Therapy in Schools Under IDEA 2004