Occupational Therapy (OT) in educational settings is defined by Minnesota Statute as a related service and is therefore different than occupational therapy in a medical or clinical setting. In the Minnetonka Public School District, occupational therapy is available, as a related service, to students ages birth to 21 who:
- Qualify for special education services
- Have team identified educational needs in the areas of motor, sensory, or self-help that require the expertise of an occupational therapist
The need for occupational therapy service is dependent on the student’s educational goals and objectives on the individual education plan (IEP). Based on team identification of needs and strengths, the occupational therapist may provide indirect or direct service with the student and/or with the student’s team members.
The emphasis of occupational therapy is to assist the student to be as functionally independent as possible in the learning environment as opposed to a focus on skills the student does not have.