Occupational Therapy Referral Process

Purpose/Function

Occupational therapy services are available to students whose physical limitations require therapeutic assistance and/or rehabilitation procedures to support educationally related needs. The objective is for the student to be
functional within the educational program.

Poor handwriting skills alone is not a valid reason for an OT referral. Observations of additional fine motor difficulties in performing other classroom tasks which may impact upon handwriting may then warrant an OT referral.

Students who should not be referred to Occupational Therapy are: 

• Students whose primary limitation is attention span.
• Students who are functioning at their cognitive level with fine motor tasks.
• Students who can copy legibly from a model.

Frequency

1. The IEPT will determine the scope of service needed to support educationally related needs. LEAs may elect to be responsible for increased service to support medical needs.
                   
2. Consultations may be requested for a therapist to provide interventions for cases that can be effectively addressed through classroom modifications or teacher interventions.

Referral Procedures

1. A form 2 requesting evaluation/consultation.
   must be submitted to the MISD, Support and Related Services.
2. Referral materials must include:

• OT referral form

• Copy of the most recent IEPT, indicating the goal(s) requiring OT support.

• Document classroom interventions

Referral Response

1. Supervisor sends the completed referral to the appropriate therapist.
                   
2. Therapist interviews teachers, parents and other referral staff. An evaluation appointment is scheduled with student’s teacher.
                        
3. Appropriate standardized tests to determine visual perceptual skill, visual motor skill, sensorimotor skill and fine motor skill levels are administered as needed.
                         
4. The therapist also gathers information about self-care skills.

Outcomes

1. The completed occupational therapy evaluation report, with recommendations, is sent to:

   • Parent

   • Director of Special Education
         

2. A form 2A report of recommended disposition will be sent to the district.
         
3. IEPT is convened by the LEA to determine the need for services. The occupational therapist must be invited to the IEPT. The IEPT will determine service, appropriateness, goals, and service frequency.

Exceptions

There are some students who are not in need of occupational therapy evaluation prior to a service referral.

An evaluation is not indicated under the following conditions:

1. Transfers from other districts where occupational therapy services had previously been provided at time of transfer (occupational therapy is indicated on the current IEPT).
                       
2. Students previously serviced in another program, i.e., MIPPs or a PI/OHI center program, where continued services are recommended on the IEPT. Therapists from the referring program must write appropriate goals and frequency of treatment into the IEPT.

Deadlines

Referrals received after May 1st will be processed in the fall.

Forms

Occupational Therapy Referral Form (sent with the Form 2)