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COWETA COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
OT/PT REFERRAL PROCEDURES
Step 1: Classroom Observation/Teacher Consultation
The OT/PT may come into your classroom for an informal observation of a child for whom you have therapy-related concerns. Recommendations can be given that may resolve the areas of concern and eliminate the need for a formal screening and/or evaluation.
_____If you feel an observation of a student is needed, you should contact your school consultant. The consultant will contact Luanne Owensby, Related Services Coordinator,by email or phone (770-254-2872) to request the OT or PT observation.
_____Luanne Owensby will notify the OT/PT assigned to your school, who will make arrangements with the teacher to complete the informal observation.
_____Upon completion of the observation, an observation report will be completed and returned to the teacher with specific directions regarding classroom strategies and/or the need for a formal screening of the child.
Step 2: OT/PT Screening
The OT/PT may complete a formal screening based on the outcome of the classroom observation or as a recommendation from your school consultant. A formal screening requires the following steps:
_____Contact your school consultant if you have not had a classroom observation.
_____The school consultant will discuss the child with you to determine if the child needs a formal screening and if he/she would be eligible for a related service. (OT and PT are considered related services. Therefore, the child would have to be receiving special education services in order to qualify for a related service.)
_____The school consultant will contact Luanne Owensby, and a referral packet will be sent through the courier to the classroom teacher.
_____The referral packet will include: reason for referral form, consent for screening, social and developmental history, and functional classroom assessment. In addition to these forms, you will also be requested to send a current copy of a vision and hearing screening, work samples (if applicable), and a copy of the child’s current IEP.
_____When the completed referral packet is returned to Luanne Owensby, she will copy the file for her records, assign the case to the therapist responsible for your school, and the therapist will arrange a time to begin the screening process at her earliest convenience.
_____Upon completion of the screening, the therapist will provide a written report for the classroom teacher. This report may indicate that therapy is not needed for the child, or that a formal evaluation is recommended.
Step 3: Evaluation
The OT/PT may complete an evaluation based on the outcome of the formal screening.
_____The therapist will obtain signed consent for evaluation from the parent/guardian of the child.
_____When signed consent is obtained, the therapist will return and complete other tests and observations as indicated.
_____Upon completion of the formal evaluation, the therapist will ask the teacher to arrange an IEP meeting with the parents and the school staff involved with the child. At the meeting, the therapist will share the results of the evaluation and make a recommendation for service provision.
PROCEDURE FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
If a student transfers into our school system from another system (in- or out-of-state) and was receiving OT/PT services there, the teacher should immediately contact Luanne Owensby by email or phone (770-254-2872). Additionally, the teacher should copy the complete IEP and send it to Luanne at Newnan Crossing Elementary. Luanne will then notify the OT or PT responsible for the school so that she can begin services.
PROCEDURE FOR PRESCHOOL REFERRALS
(for preschoolers who have had early intervention services, i.e. BCW)
_____All preschool referrals will initially be received by Cindy Dingler at Central Office.
_____Cindy will forward the referral packet to Diane Roden at Jefferson Parkway Elementary.
_____Diane will contact Luanne Owensby by email or phone (770-254-2872).
_____Luanne will notify the OT and/or PT assigned to Jefferson Parkway.
_____The OT or PT will contact Diane and review the file(s) to determine if OT/PT services should resume or if a short waiting period should be given to ascertain the need for continued OT/PT services.
Please be reminded that the above procedures should be followed for all referrals. Only the school consultants should contact the related service coordinator to request a referral. This referral process has been designed to facilitate close monitoring of referrals, improve communication between staff, and to prevent delays in services.
9/07