Occupational Therapy / Physical Therapy Services
The NIA Therapy Department provides physical therapy and occupational therapy services. Therapy services aim is to enhance each student's educational potential, supporting instruction through the district referral process, evaluation, intervention and collaboration. These services prepare students for important learning and social activities for improved access and success.
Services
Occupational & Physical Therapy
Referral and Evaluation: Students are assessed to determine their physical, sensorimotor and developmental needs. Referrals are initiated by members of the educational team and evaluations are completed upon consent from the student’s parent(s) or guardian.
Intervention and Collaboration: The therapists support education by working with teams to:
- Create goals to support educational access and success.
- Adapt classroom environments and equipment.
- Design activities to enhance independence with school routines.
- Provide intervention that will improve function.
- Collaborate with teams to optimize academic success and participation.
Examples of school-based Occupational Therapy Services
- Visual motor interventions
- Seating and positioning
- Sensory processing interventions
- Adaptation of school activities
- Self-help skills
- Fine motor interventions
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Task analysis and problem solving
Examples of school-based Physical Therapy Services
- Mobility training
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Gross motor interventions
- Seating and positioning
- Strength and endurance intervention
- Balance and coordination intervention
- Adaptations of school activities
Therapy Supervision
- Clinical assistance and development for district hired OTs and PTs in the NIA region
- Facilitation of therapy department meetings and/or inservice days
- Access to specialized resources via the NIA Therapy library
- Discussion of current research as it applies to evidence based practice
- Support OTs and PTs understanding and implementation of rules, regulations, and policy changes required for practice of therapy in the school setting
- Support district administration with therapy needs assessment and team caseload assignments.
- Complete annual performance evaluations related to clinical skills and enhancement of student progress related to IEP goals and objective
Who We Are
NIA Occupational and Physical Therapists hold a Bachelor’s degree up to a Doctorate degree in their area of expertise. Occupational and Physical Therapists also hold an Illinois state license which is maintained by completing 24 and 40 hours of continuing education, respectively, every two years. Our therapists also participate in their professional state and national organizations which provides access to specialized resources and a network of OTs and PTs upon whom to draw on for expertise and clinical problem solving.
Occupational Therapy / Physical Therapy Contacts
Jill Tabone, MBA, CCC/SLP
2422 W. Main Street, Ste. 3A
St. Charles, IL 60175
(779) 475-1817
Email Jill
Additional Resources
In addition to our school based therapy services, NIA also offers specialized clinics to support the inventions provided in school.
- Wheelchair and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Clinics where specialists and therapists assist families in obtaining specialized equipment.
- Orthopedic Clinics staffed with a pediatric orthopedic medical specialist.
- Staff training in selected areas including gross and fine motor development, sensory processing and body mechanics and transfers.
Find us in Northwestern Illinois
4 Office Locations
- Sycamore
- Rockford
- St. Charles
- Sterling
5 Hearing Clinic Locations
- Aurora
- St. Charles
- Rockford
- Sterling