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Collaboration between occupational & physical therapists in both the educational and clinical settings ensures high quality, comprehensive care and program planning. OT's & PT's function in slightly differing roles depending upon whether services are performed in a clinical vs. educational setting. These differing roles are designed to meet the therapy needs of the student in both his/her home and educational environments.
AEA OT's & PT's in the educational setting serve primarily as consultants to LEA staff, administrators, classrooms, and parents. OT's & PT's work in specialized areas to assist schools, teachers, and parents in developing a plan within the student's educational environment that facilitates the student's educational success. For example, PT's focus primarily on the areas of mobility, transitional movements, posture, and positioning. OT's focus primarily on the areas of fine motor, visual motor, functional communication, positioning, pre-vocational tasks, socialization, play and leisure skills. OT's also address The secondary role of AEA OT's & PT's includes more "hands on" therapy services with the students. These services are often coordinated with staff and parents who are able to facilitate daily practice of various activities/positions, while limiting disruption and maximizing the student's learning opportunities.
Clinically-based therapy focuses primarily on "hand's-on" therapy services with the student/child. This environment is conducive to use of large and varied pieces of therapy equipment and various therapeutic techniques without distracting from the educational environment. The secondary role of clinical therapists is to work with the parent(s)/caretaker(s) of each student/child to coordinate daily implementation of various activities/positions that can be practiced at home.
AEA and clinically-based therapy roles are complimentary. It is not uncommon for AEA and clinically-based therapists to work together to develop a comprehensive therapy program for the students, families, and schools they serve.
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