Q: Do have resources that show the difference between school-based vs medical-based OT, PT, and SLP services?

This is one of the most common questions school-based practitioners need to explain. Families, teachers, administrators, and even therapists who are new to schools may wonder why a child receives OT, PT, or SLP services in a clinic, home, or hospital, but the school team may make a different decision about the need for OT, PT, or Speech services under IDEA. It is for this reason that Apply EBP created multiple resources for explaining the difference between school-based vs medical-based OT, PT, and SLP services, and made them all free for your use!

Your Free Resources

To make this easier to explain, Apply EBP created multiple resources that you can download, share, and use for free. This includes:

1. 1. 1. School-based vs Medical-based Infographics
         • Click here for the English version
         • Click here for the Spanish version
      2. School-based vs Medical-based Videos
         • In English: see above or Save this YouTube video page
         • In Spanish: visit this page or Save this YouTube video page
      3. School-based vs Medical-based 2-Page Newsletters

         • Want a Free 2-Page Handout for Teachers & Parents? Join Apply EBP’s Facebook Discussion Group by clicking here where you can download 2 Newsletters – 1 in English and 1 in Spanish – from the group “Files” section.

           

Who are the intended audience of these School-based vs Medical-based resources?

We created these infographics, videos and newsletters for parents and caregivers, teachers and other school personnel, school and district administrators, and OT, PT, and SLP practitioners who are new to school-based practice or are thinking of working in the schools.

How do these resources discuss the differences between School-based and Medical-based OT, PT, and SLP services?

Since the intended audience are families, educators, and those new to school-based practice, Apply EBP aimed to simplify the discussion by comparing the answers to “4W + 1H” questions:

• • • WHO is eligible for OT, PT, or SLP service?
    • WHAT is the focus of OT, PT, or SLP service?
    • WHEN is OT, PT, or SLP the appropriate service?
    • WHERE is the OT, PT, or SLP service provided?
    • HOW is the OT, PT, or SLP service delivered?

As you will see in the chart within the infographics and newsletters, as well as, discussed throughout the video, the answers to each of these questions are different for delivering OT, PT, and SLP services in the school versus in medical settings, such as in clinics, homes, or hospitals. These differences stem from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which governs school-based practice.

IDEA was enacted “to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living” (IDEA §300.1). Being part of the child’s special education and related services is what sets school-based practitioners apart from medical-based OT, PT, and SLP providers!

The overarching objective of school-based OT, PT, and SLP services is to support students in accessing their education and participating meaningfully alongside their peers. Discussing this with educators, families and administrators will help them appreciate the importance of providing OT, PT, and SLP expertise in a variety of school environments where students are expected to engage, learn, and grow—for example:

• • • In classrooms, helping a student with completing class work
    • During ELA, promoting literacy and communication skills
    • On the playground, working on play and social skills
    • In the hallway, helping students move safely and independently
    • In the lunchroom, supporting feeding and social interaction

How may I use these School-based vs Medical-based resources?

Here are a few suggestions on how you can use these resources:

• • • Share a link to the School-based vs Medical-based OT, PT, and SLP infographics and YouTube videos listed above via email to colleagues, parents and caregivers, or administrators. This will help you highlight your role in the schools.
    • Use and share the infographics, videos, and newsletters in one of your presentations at your workplace. How many times have we been invited last minute to speak for 15 minutes or so during a Professional Development Day?! You can show the video to get the conversation started, have a Q&A session, and hand out the accompanying School-based vs. Medical-based Services infographics and newsletters for their reference.

Are these School-based vs Medical-based OT, PT, and SLP resources free to use?

Yes! You may use the infographics, newsletters, and videos  for free for any educational, non-commercial purposes (such as the examples noted above). All we ask is that you mention the source “Apply EBP, LLC” and our website www.applyebp.com. If you plan to use any of these resources for commercial purposes (i.e., for profit), please email Carlo@applyebp.com to obtain a written permission. Permission can be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Final Words

Note that this article (including the video and infographic) focus on the provision of school-based OT, PT, and Speech services under IDEA. If you want to learn more about the different laws and regulations governing the various services we can provide in school in addition to IDEA, take…

And if you are looking for more guidance on school practice, check out…