P.L.A.Y.@SCHOOL

P.L.A.Y.@SCHOOL provides Occupational Therapy services in the school setting targeting skill development to enhance performance in schoolbased occupations. This type of setting is ideal for children in either preschool or elementary school. Assessments and/or treatment sessions are done on site, in the school/daycare setting. This would minimize the amount of time missed in class and would not require parents to leave work for appointments. Included in the @SCHOOL services is assessments and /or treatment sessions, focusing on leisure and performance as related to daily school functioning, ongoing collaboration with the school team, seminars/workshops for teachers, and parent information sessions. An evidence-based assessments and treatment approaches are utilized that are functional, goal oriented and provides family-centered therapy. The assessments and/or treatments are covered by most private insurance companies, and insurance receipts are provided for each assessment and/or treatment session.

GOAL

Occupational Therapists (OTs) work directly with the family, the child and the school personnel to help students achieve their full potential and improve participation in school occupations. Using collaborative approaches and consultations, we assess how the environment, physical ability and cognitive ability affects the student's ability to fully participate in the school.

Common concerns for children under 3 years of age are:

Difficulties achieving motor milestones (i.e. not rolling over at 7 months, not walking by 18 months, unable to go on her/his tummy, unable to eat and pick up foods, not able to manipulate small objects, does not play with toys, etc.)
Difficulties with self-help skills (i.e. unable to help get dressed and undressed, difficulty eating, etc.)
Difficulty with play skills

Common concerns for children at 4 years of age and over:

Difficulties with fine motor skills (handling and manipulating small objects)
Difficulties with play skills
Unable to pedal a bicycle (with or without training wheels)
Difficulty with handwriting (including holding writing tools, etc.)
Difficulty with scissor skills
Lack of coordination
Difficulty with dressing skills (i.e. zippers, buttons)
Difficulty participating in sports
Difficulty acquiring new motor skills

PLAN

School Occupational Therapists (OTs) offers services to students, teachers, integration aids, educational staff and parents. We service students from daycares to high school, who may have physical, intellectual, developmental and neurological disabilities, attending either private or public educational or home institutions.

Importance of Occupational Therapy (OT) in schools

OTs are health care professionals specifically trained to help engage children/students in everyday occupations such as play, self-help skills, participation in family routines, and participation in school routines. OTs are able to help students participate in school occupations and routines by collaborating with all school personnel, family and student to adapt/modify the environment, activity, and physical/cognitive challenges of the specific child.

COST