• Occupational and Physical Therapy

    Robert Bolin
    Director of Special Services
    (847)986-2348
     
    Claudia Arias
    Admin Asst. to Educational Services
    (847)986-2367
     
    This SEDOL department consists of Occupational Therapists (OT), Physical Therapists (PT), Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA). We collaborate with all the SEDOL buildings, Laremont School, Cyd Lash Academy, Gages Lake School, and John Powers Center, as well as the SEDOL classes that are housed in the member district schools and the Community Life Skills Program (students between the ages of 18-22).

    Occupational therapists and physical therapists assess how students access their environment and their ability to participate in their education. The therapists assess specific sensory, perceptual and motor abilities to determine what barriers are present that impact the students’ learning and participation in their educational program. This information is then used to determine what specialized interventions and strategies can be incorporated to minimize the barriers, and to facilitate the students' learning and participation in their educational program, while in a naturally occurring setting and context. The therapists also work with the educational teams to adapt, modify, and accommodate specific school tasks. Training is provided to classroom staff as they are the primary implementers who work with the students daily.

    Occupational and Physical Therapists do not see a student simply because a student has a specific diagnosis. The need for additional support by a therapist is determined on an individual basis, depending on the needs of the student within his educational program.

    Therapists work with students in a variety of modes; individually, in small or large groups, and often on a monitoring and consulting basis as the student achieves progress and interventions are in place. The consultation model includes observing the student in the classroom, throughout the school and in the community. Most importantly, the therapists must provide the staff with interventions and strategies to use throughout the day as needed to improve their functions.
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