Occupational Therapy

• Occupational Therapy (OT) as a “related service” through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. Physical Therapy services also available.
• Comprehensive, school-based Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessments
• Independent Assessments for non-contracting districts and schools
• Training, modeling and professional learning for school personnel
• Group trainings for parents hosted by contracting district
• Colleges and Universities: supervising occupational therapy students for affiliation levels
• Professional Learning Opportunities: Co-hosts OT/PT-related seminars with Educational Resources, Inc.

Related Services Under an IEP:

Part B of the IDEA 2004 affords students with disabilities (as defined under the law) ages 3-21 special education and related services to ensure their access, participation, and progress in the general education classroom/curriculum and legal protections for students and their parents. Occupational therapists can assist the team in determining initial eligibility for special education or once identified the PPT team can request an occupational therapy assessment to determine if a student needs this related service in order to benefit from special education. Also, students transferring into a school system/program with Occupational Therapy indicated on a current Individualized Education Program are eligible for services.

Services Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:

Students with a disability who do not qualify for services under the IDEA may be eligible for accommodations and services under Section 504, including school occupational therapy services. The Section 504 Team conducts an initial evaluation with a student suspected of having a disability. If the team determines the student is a student with a disability and requires accommodations and services to ensure his/her equal opportunity to participate, the team identifies those accommodations and services and how they will be implemented. Occupational therapy is one of many related services recognized under Section 504 and can be provided as a sole service, where necessary. In addition to services for the student, school occupational therapy services under Section 504 can include consultation with other educational professionals; training for families; and adaptations to different environments within the school (e.g., classroom; cafeteria; playground; restrooms).

• Special education team will complete the appropriate grade level OT and/or the PT Assessment Criteria Sheets to determine areas of concern, include classroom samples if OT is indicated
• Building PPT chair will schedule a PPT to recommend testing and obtain parental permission
• After the PPT, the PPT chair will send a copy of the following to the District and/or School’s Designated OT/PT contact :
  • ACES ETS Referral Form indicating “Evaluation/Assessment” for OT and/or PT
  • Signed Notice and Consent to Conduct an Initial Evaluation with OT/PT indicated
  • Page 2 (List of PPT recommendations) o OT/PT Assessment Criteria Sheets
  • At least 2 classroom samples (If an OT evaluation is indicated)
  • The District and/or School’s Designated OT/PT contact will forward the above mentioned to the ACES ETS Office using one of the following methods:
    • Fax: 203-407-4528
    • Mail: Send to ACES-Extension Therapy Services, SDA Building, 205 Skiff Street, Hamden, CT 06517
    • Email: ETSSECR@aces.org (ETS office staff only)
• ETS staff will schedule and complete assessment(s) and will contact the PPT chair to schedule a PPT. (Assessment and draft IEP, if appropriate, are submitted and reviewed at the PPT; a PPT must be convened to review the assessment results.)

• If a student enters the district with an active OT and/or PT IEP for the current academic year, the PPT chair should forward the following to The District and/or School’s Designated OT/PT contact:
  • ACES ETS Referral Form indicating “Continue Services” for OT and/or PT with service frequency noted; PT services require Primary Physician information to be filled out in the space provided at the bottom of the Referral Form
  • Page 2 (List of PPT Recommendations)
  • Goal pages (Page 7 - specifically goal pages for OT and/or PT, specifically gross/fine motor, self-help and other)
  • Page 8 (Accommodations and Modifications)
  • Page 11 (Related Services Frequency)
  • The District and/or School’s Designated OT/PT contact will forward the above mentioned to the ACES ETS Office using one of the following methods:
    • Fax: 203-407-4528
    • Mail: Send to ACES-Extension Therapy Services, SDA Building, 205 Skiff Street, Hamden, CT 06517
    • Email: ETSSECR@aces.org (ETS office staff only)
• ACES ETS staff activates services upon receipt of the referral

Students with a diagnosis of having a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity, such as self care, walking, seeing, hearing, working, and performing manual tasks, may be referred by the educational team members for an OT and/or PT assessment to determine if a 504 Modification/Strategy Plan is needed or for continuation of services that are in included in a student’s plan.

• A copy of the following must be forwarded to The District and/or School’s Designated OT/PT contact:
  • ACES ETS Referral Form indicating “Evaluation/Assessment” for OT and/or PT
  • A copy of the Accommodation Plan including parent/guardian consent
• The District and/or School’s Designated OT/PT contact will forward the above mentioned to the ACES ETS Office using one of the following methods:
  • Fax: 203-407-4528
  • Mail: Send to ACES-Extension Therapy Services, SDA Building, 205 Skiff Street, Hamden, CT 06517
  • Email: ETSSECR@aces.org (ETS office staff only)
• ETS staff will schedule and complete assessment(s) and will contact the 504 Coordinator to schedule a meeting. (Assessment and draft plan, if appropriate, are submitted and reviewed at the meeting; a 504 meeting must be convened to review the assessment results.)

• A copy of the following must be forwarded to The District and/or School’s Designated OT/PT contact:
  • ACES ETS Referral Form indicating “Continue Services” for OT and/or PT
  • A copy of the Accommodation Plan
• The District and/or School’s Designated OT/PT contact will forward the above mentioned to the ACES ETS Office using one of the following methods:
  • Fax: 203-407-4528
  • Mail: Send to ACES-Extension Therapy Services, SDA Building, 205 Skiff Street, Hamden, CT 06517
  • Email: ETSSECR@aces.org (ETS office staff only)
• ACES ETS staff activates services upon receipt of the referral