SPED Laws

Mon/Wed

Employer Stats

according to the US bureau of labor statistics, elementary and secondary schools are the third largest employer of occupational therapists.

Free & Appropriate Education with OT

federal laws require that occupational therapy be available to school aged children who need it in order to receive a free and appropriate education.

Importance of Understanding the Laws

in order to provide students with the services that they deserve it is your responsibility to know what each student is eligible for and how those services are to be delivered, you should not rely on school personnel, other service providers, or the school district to provide you with accurate information regarding your responsibilities under the law; it is ultimately your legal responsibility to provide all services according to state and federal laws (it is your license that is one the line).

Section 300.5: Assistive Technology Device

assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability; the term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device.

A Student with a Disability Defined

to be protected under section 504, a student must be determined to: (1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or (2) have a record of such an impairment; or (3) be regarded as having such an impairment. section 504 requires that school districts provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualified students in their jurisdictions who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Physical/Mental Impairment Definition by Section 504

any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

Major Life Activities Defined by Section 504

include functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

Major Life Activities Defined by Amendments Act

congress provided additional examples of general activities that are major life activities, including eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking, and communicating.

Services Provided Under Section 504

requires recipients to provide to students with disabilities appropriate educational services designed to meet the individual needs of such students to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities are met. an appropriate education for a student with a disability under the section 504 regulations could consist of education in regular classrooms, education in regular classes with supplementary services, and/or special education and related services.

Intellectual Disability IQ

70 or lower.

OT Job with AAC Devices

language acquisition through motor planning.

Least Restrictive Environment

a principle from the individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA) that requires students with disabilities to be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.

Directive Services

seeing the child and working on interventions.

Monitoring Services

checking in once a month to see if the student is keeping their skills, not trying to get them any better.

Consultative Services

talking to the teacher by updating on how the child is doing in class and how to improve.