What is the Difference between Physical and Occupational Therapy?

What is the Difference between Physical and Occupational Therapy?

Special a n d general educators carry m a n y roles, including observing child development from m a n y different perspectives. A teacher m a y refer a student for a speech evaluation, cognitive testing, or a behavior assessment. While these performance areas seem distinct, teachers are often uncertain if they should refer a child for physical or occupational therapy since there is sometimes overlap between the two professions.

Overview Both occupational a n d physical therapists are licensed professionals who graduated from a n accredited p r o g r a m (occupational therapy is a n entry-level master ’s or doctorate, a n d physical therapy is a doctoral-level degree). In a school setting, occupational a n d physical therapy are a d d e d to a qualifying child’s plan to support their educational outcomes. For example, suppose a child has a n a b no rm al gait pattern but c an still navigate their classroom environment safely a n d efficiently. In that case, they m a y not qualify for school-based physical therapy.

Note: If a student’s occupational or physical therapy needs do not involve their ability to access their education, they m a y be a better candidate for outpatient therapy.

What is Physical Therapy?

Balance: Navigating the classroom without falling.

A physical therapist (PT) evaluates a n d treats a student’s physical mot or skills. After evaluation, a physical therapist creates a plan of care a n d works with students to improve mot or skills. A physical therapist m a y r e c o m m e n d adaptive equipment to enhance students’ ability to access their mot or skills in the classroom. Examples of physical therapy intervention m a y include:

Strength: Having the postural control to m ai nt ai n a sitting posture a t the desk or floor.

Mobility: Climbing the stairs safely.

Stability: Stabilizing the core bo dy a n d joints so the child c a n kick a ball ( h i p joint) or cut with scissors (shoulder joint).

What is Occupational Therapy ?

Handwriting Using visual mot or skills to use lines to create letters a n d align the letters on the baseline.

An occupational therapist (OT) also evaluates a n d treats students, but instead of focusing on physical moto r skills, they support participation in meaningful activities. During the school day, activities m i g h t include lessons, lunch, social participation, transitions, specials, a n d more. An OT creates a n intervention plan to build student skills, change the activity, or modify the environment for successful student participation.

Some examples of occupational therapy intervention include:

Sensory processing

Holding a pencil

Integrating all of the sensory information in a classroom in a way that is adaptive a n d doesn’t inhibit their participation.

Using visual mot or skills to use lines to create letters and aligning the letters on the baseline.

Dressing Independently dressing for classroom transitions, including recess or toileting.

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