What is the Difference between Physical and Occupational Therapy?
Special and general educators carry many roles, including observing child development from many different perspectives. A teacher may refer a student for a speech evaluation, cognitive testing, or a behavior assessment. While these performance areas seem distinct, teachers are often uncertain if they should refer a child for physical or occupational therapy since there is sometimes overlap between the two professions. Overview Both occupational and physical therapists are licensed professionals who graduated from an accredited program (occupational therapy is an entry-level master’s or doctorate, and physical therapy is a doctoral-level degree). In a school setting, occupational and physical therapy are added to a qualifying child’s plan to support their educational outcomes. For example, suppose a child has an abnormal gait pattern but can still navigate their classroom environment safely and efficiently. In that case, they may not qualify for school-based physical therapy. Note...