School Based Occupational Therapy vs Pediatric Private Occupational Therapy?
School-based occupational therapy (OT) and private pediatric OT differ primarily in setting, goals, and funding sources.
School-Based OT:
Setting: Provided within the school environment.
Goals: Focuses on helping students succeed in their educational environment by targeting skills necessary for participation in school activities. This includes improving handwriting, classroom behavior, sensory processing, and other skills that affect learning and social interaction.
Private Pediatric OT:
Setting: Delivered in private clinics, homes, or community settings outside of school.
Goals: Broader focus on overall development, including fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory integration, daily living activities, and sometimes addressing specific diagnoses or challenges. Goals are tailored to the child’s unique needs beyond just educational performance.
In short, school-based OT is education-centered and integrated into the school day, while private pediatric OT offers more specialized, individualized care in various environments.
