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About the OT/PT Chapter

Occupational Therapy

Showing their pride with a handmade sign at Richmond Hill High School in Queens

Showing their pride with a handmade sign at Richmond Hill High School in Queens are (from left) Laura Peguero, a psychology intern, Marie Monterroso, a school psychologist and Christina Duffy, a school based support team family assistant.

Occupational therapists are licensed rehabilitation care professionals who work to restore or improve physical abilities, promote behavioral changes, adapt surroundings, and teach new skills; the goal is to have the student achieve her or his best physical and/or mental functioning in daily life tasks. Occupational therapists provide these services on the referral or prescription of a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.

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Physical Therapy

Physical therapist Karen Lewis (left) and occupational therapist Denise Gourdine
Physical therapist Karen Lewis (left) and occupational therapist Denise Gourdine with their bulletin board decorated for the day of solidarity at PS 208 in Brooklyn.

A physical therapist is a licensed health care professional who examines and evaluates a student's condition and then plans and administers treatments to promote optimal health. Physical therapists seek to relieve pain, improve the body's movement and function, maintain cardiopulmonary function, restore, maintain and promote optimal physical function; and limit disabilities resulting from injury or disease.

Read more about this profession.