Department of Education and Training
Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services
Problem-solving checklist for teachers
Instructions for completing the checklist
The following checklist provides a series of questions for teachers that may be useful in determining
whether a request for Department of Education and Training occupational therapy and/or physiotherapy
services for a particular student should be considered.
It is a common assumption that all students with disabilities require occupational therapy and
physiotherapy services at school. This is not always the case, and it is important that you go through a
problem-solving process before you request a service. There may be other actions you could take to deal
with concerns you have about a student’s abilities at school. It is particularly important for you to think
about how the student’s impairment affects his or her ability to access and participate in an appropriate
educational program.
Involve the student’s parents or caregiver in the problem-solving process, as well as other members of the
team, such as advisory visiting teachers. Team problem-solving may result in you taking other action such
as modifying the classroom environment or reviewing educational goals before you request occupational
therapy or physiotherapy services.
The following brochures and information sheets outline how Department of Education and Training
occupational therapy and physiotherapy services support students’ educational programs:


Occupational Therapy Services: Skills for living and learning
Physiotherapy in Education: Learn to move: Move to learn
Copies of these are available in your information package.
Information about student eligibility is contained in:


How to request Department Education and Training occupational therapy and physiotherapy
services (brochure)
The Role and Scope of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services in State Schools
(Revised 2015)
Priorities in practice: A manual for occupational therapists and physiotherapists
© The State of Queensland (Department of Education) 2000 (Revised 2015)
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Problem-solving checklist for teachers
Student’s name ________________________________________________________________________
Performance difficulties noted at school
• ___________________________________________________________________________________
• ___________________________________________________________________________________
• ___________________________________________________________________________________
Do these difficulties affect educational outcomes?

yes

no
Have you discussed these concerns with other team members
(e.g. parents, advisory visiting teachers)?

yes

no
Do the educational goals need review?

yes

no
Would modifications to the physical environment help?

yes

no
Would modifications to the social environment help?

yes

no
Would modifications to the sensory environment help?

yes

no
Would adapted or special equipment help?

yes

no
Would additional support for the student in the classroom help?

yes

no
Is there anyone else on the team who can provide advice
on these issues?

yes

no
Is there another therapy service provider involved who could
provide support to the student/ to the team?

yes

no
Have you read the brochures about Department of Education and Training 
occupational therapy and physiotherapy services?
yes

no

yes

no

yes

no
Is the student eligible to receive Education Queensland
occupational therapy and physiotherapy services?
After consideration of the above questions:
Is a request for departmental occupational therapy
and/or physiotherapy services required?
Priorities in practice: A manual for occupational therapists and physiotherapists
© The State of Queensland (Department of Education) 2000 (Revised 2015)
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