Meet The OT/PT Team

We have teams that serve students in our BOCES who carry out the W.I.D.E mission everyday who you may not know much about. Since April is National Occupational Therapy Month and Autism Awareness Month, we are excited to highlight the WSWHE BOCES Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy (OT/PT) team!

We asked the team a few questions about their work. And here is what they have to say:

What do you want people to know about your team?

• We travel to a variety of WSWHE BOCES sites and component school districts to provide OT and PT services to students who have been identified as having a need for those services.
• It may look like we are having fun and playing games in therapy, but we’re always working on a variety of motor skills.
• We evaluate students, as well as, plan and provide therapy sessions to a variety of students. 
• Our services require a written prescription from a doctor.

What do you want people to know about the profession:

• To become a Physical Therapist now requires obtaining a Doctorate, with classes required such as: Human Anatomy, Fundamentals of Movement, Neuroscience, Research Methods, Kinesiology, Biomechanics and clinical practice.
• To become an Occupational Therapist requires obtaining a Master’s degree, with classes required such as Sociology, Anatomy, Human Physiology, Psychology, and Life and Physical Science.
• Working with children is both fun and rewarding.

What does your team do to support students?

• Help them access their educational environment with as much independence as possible including getting on/off the school bus, navigating the school building and participating in all school activities
• Improve fine motor skills (ie: cut, color, write) and gross motor skills (ie: balance, strength and coordination)
• Address child’s functional needs, such as managing materials and clothing, and participating in PE and recess with their classmates
• Provide strategies/adaptations for increased engagement in academic program, including items ranging from pencil grips and slant boards to flexible seating options
• Improve educational success of students
• Address sensory needs of students by providing vestibular input and sensory diets

OT/PT Team by Numbers

The OT/PT team is comprised of 5 WSWHE BOCES staff members (with some assistance from retirees.) In total they have worked in the field for over 127 years! They serve 153 students in 9 school districts and 10 WSWHE BOCES programs. 

What do team members enjoy about being on the OT/PT team?

• Support and friendship
• Great collaboration
• Sharing of knowledge, expertise, ideas