“Related services” means transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services that are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. [34 C.F.R. § 300.34(a)] Related services include: “speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes. Related services also include school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training. These services are to enable the child to advance appropriately toward attaining the annual goals, to be involved and make progress in the general education curriculum, and to be educated with other children with and without disabilities.

Occupational Therapy

The purpose of Occupational Therapy services in the schools is to address a student’s needs in visual motor and visual perception skills, along with sensory regulation and is provided in order for a student to be able to access their educational program.

Physical Therapy

The purpose of Physical Therapy services is to assist special education students with developing gross motor and postural control along with safety and mobility in the school environment. A student may require occupational or physical therapy as a related service to benefit from special education or as a supplementary service to be maintained in the least restrictive environment.

Adapted Physical Education

Adapted PE consists of modifying the traditional Physical Education program, which enables the student with special needs to participate safely, successfully, and with satisfaction. The typical Adapted PE student has some cognitive understanding as well as some physical ability to complete activities presented in the Physical Education class.

For further information concerning these related services, please contact your school's administration.

Az TAZ OT/PT Services Overview