Occupational and Physical Therapy
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How We Support
- Consultation with team members
- Direct service to the student in support of the classroom
- Training for team members
- Accommodations such as adapted equipment
- Modifications to the classroom environment
- Providing home and classroom activity suggestions
DCIU encourages the use of best practices and evidence-based treatment with all students.
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Kim Cott, M.Ed., Speech & Language, Occupational, and Physical Therapy Program Supervisor
484-423-7000, ext. 6635 | kcott@dciu.orgBridget Glenn, OTR/L, Coordinator of Occupational & Physical Therapy
610-938-9000, ext. 6200 | bglenn@dciu.orgCheryl Czajka, Administrative Assistant, OT & PT
610-938-9000, ext. 6199| cczajka@dciu.org
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Occupational Therapy
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Occupational therapy is a related service recommended by an educational team to support students in reaching independence in the classroom and school setting. Occupational therapy addresses the skills of the student and the educational team in the following areas:
- Activities to support quality of movement and posture
- Fine motor functioning
- Visual motor functioning
- Activities of daily living
- Sensory processing
- Classroom accommodations
- Program modifications
The related service of occupational therapy utilizes various modes of support to ensure the success of the student.
Physical Therapy
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Physical therapy is a related service recommended by an IEP team to support the student's access to and participation in his/her special education program. Physical therapy provides support in the following areas:
- Improvement in the quality of movement and posture
- Gross motor development
- Balance and coordination
- Strength and stability
- Functional posture
- Training and instruction in adapted equipment for mobility and posture
The related service of physical therapy utilizes various modes of support to ensure the success of the student.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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I think my child needs occupational or physical therapy services. How do I request an evaluation?
- If your child is younger than 2 years and 9 months, you'll need to reach out to the Office of Early Intervention in Delaware County. Here is their website:
- Office of Early Intervention
- If your child is 3-5 years old, the first step is to complete our online referral form:
- DCIU Early Intervention Intake Form
- After filling out the online form, a representative from Early Intervention will reach out to you about next steps. You will receive a packet of forms to complete. These packets can be returned through email to msjohnson@dciu.org or in person at:
- Marple Education Center, 85 N Malin Rd, Broomall PA 19008.
- Qualified and trained experts will then do an evaluation with your child to see if he qualifies for services. Feel free to reach out to Speech and Language Supervisors if you have any questions.
- If your child is in a nonpublic school age program, reach out to your child's teacher or principal to start the referral process.
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Where would my child receive OT and PT services?
Location of services is determined during the IEP process. OT and PT can be provided at a DCIU site (Sharon Hill, Aston, Marple) or at your child's preschool.
Should your child qualify for a DCIU specialized classroom, they would receive services within the classroom.
Home services are only provided in individual circumstances where services cannot be provided in an education setting, such as if a student has complex medical needs.
If your child is school aged, services would be provided in their school setting.
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How do I know if my child should be evaluated for OT or PT services?
Support services are designed to meet the developmental needs of children with a disability related to enhancing the child's development in the following areas:
- Physical development, including vision and hearing
- Cognitive development
- Communication development
- Social or emotional development
- Adaptive development
If you find that your child is struggling to keep up with peers in the area of physical and/or adaptive development (activities of daily living), an evaluation would help determine if there is a special education need for Occupational or Physical Therapy services.
