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School Based Rehabilitation Services

School Based Rehabilitation Services

School-Based Rehabilitation Services

School-Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS) are available to children attending publicly funded schools until the age of 21. The mandate of SBRS is to provide Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech-Language Pathology services for students in order for the student to attend school, participate in school routines, and receive instruction.

Eligibility

School-Based Rehabilitation Services occupational therapists and physiotherapists provide consultation for safety, mobility, access and participation in school activities. Urgent occupational or physiotherapy referrals to SBRS can be made when children cannot safely physically access the school/classrooms and/or require significant postural supports to participate (new or changed condition).

School-Based Rehabilitation Services speech-language pathologists address concerns with the physical production of speech (speech sound production, fluency/stuttering, resonance, and quality of voice). Language and social communication challenges are addressed by school boards. Children must demonstrate sufficient motivation, attention, behaviour, understanding of language, and cognitive ability to participate in a structured speech therapy session for a minimum of 30 minutes including the ability to imitate speech and revising their speech attempts based on feedback. The child must have purposeful expressive language, be primarily a verbal communicator (exclusive of severe motor coordination issues/apraxia of speech), and be able to take multiple conversational turns as both an initiator and responder.

Parents of children attending private schools or children who are homeschooled should inquire about available physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services through Home and Community Care Support Services.

Referrals

All referrals to SBRS are completed by school administrative staff (i.e. Principal or Educational Resource Teacher/Learning Resource Teacher) who can assess the child’s participation/functioning in the school environment.

Parents and legal guardians are not able to self-refer to SBRS at this time. Parents of children not currently involved with Niagara Children’s Centre are encouraged to speak to their child’s teacher to inquire about eligibility for SBRS.

In some cases, a formal referral to School-Based Rehabilitation Services is not necessary when school staff, in consultation with SBRS therapists, determine that the child’s needs can be met through general strategies provided by SBRS therapists at a Tier 1 Level. In other cases, a formal referral will be sent to Niagara Children’s Centre for individualized assessment, consultation, and/or therapy.

All non-urgent referrals for occupational therapy and physiotherapy should be discussed with the assigned SBRS therapist at the school prior to submission, followed by submission of the referral using the School Board identified processes.