South County SELPA Online Referral

**Occupational therapy is a health care profession focused on helping individuals of all ages learn (or re-learn) to participate in activities that "occupy" their time during the day despite physical, cognitive, or social limitations.

**School-based therapy services address the student's educational needs and functional skills necessary to participate in the educational environment.

Educational Model vs. Medical Model for Occupational Therapy Services:

There is a difference between “eligibility” for school based occupational therapy and the “need” for clinical/medical therapy. Students may receive occupational therapy through the school system only if the condition adversely affects educational performance. Services are based on the student's educational needs.

Please refer students to occupational therapy services if:

• The student’s disabilities interfere with their ability to function adequately within their educational setting and is significantly lower than that of peers.
• Current level of achievement is not consistent with other areas of development
• The student’s skill level is less than would be expected given the students’ cognitive skills, maturity level and exposure to activities
• Functional living skills are a part of the student’s special educational program
• Student does not have appropriate strategies to compensate for their deficits