School Therapy Services

Therapy services may be available at school to enable a student to attend and participate in school routines.

In Ontario schools, Children's Treatment Centres either provide or contract other agencies to provide Occupational Therapy (OT), Physiotherapy (PT) and some Speech-Language Therapy (SLP) services.

TVCC provides School Therapy Services in publicly funded schools in London, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce counties. 

TVCC also provides OT, PT and SLP services for students at Standing Stone School on the Oneida Nation of the Thames and Antler River School on the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

Access to Services

School Therapy Services need to be initiated through your child’s school. Speak to your School Principal to access these services.

If your child is receiving preschool SLP services, speak to your preschool SLP about how to access school SLP services.

Schools can make a referral by completing and submitting the required forms found on the Intake and Referrals page.


Visual steps of Accessing School Therapy Services Roadmap

What to Expect

TVCC will review the referral package received from the school. If the student is placed on a waitlist for service, the school will receive confirmation. Before service will start, the family and school will be contacted by the therapist.

Step 1 – Talk to your school team

If you feel that your child needs support from an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, or Speech-Language Pathologist to participate in school activities, speak with your   student’s teacher or principal.

Step 2 – School team makes appropriate referrals to TVCC

With consent from you, the school team will make a referral to TVCC for School Therapy Services. Referrals are prioritized based on urgency/severity of need.

Step 3 – Access online resources while waiting for services

  While waiting for services, please look at the TVCC website for helpful resources your student may benefit from www.tvcc.on.ca

Step 4 – Receive phone call from TVCC Clinician

A TVCC clinician will call you before meeting with your child. The clinician will talk to you about the process and get your consent to proceed with school therapy services.

Step 5 – TVCC clinician completes school consultation and/or assessment

Assessment may include consultation with school staff, standardized testing, classroom observation and/or try out equipment. The TVCC clinician will share the results of the   assessment with you and the school team. Some students may be discharged after the assessment if it is determined that they do not meet criteria for a session of service.

Step 6 – Session of Service and/or classroom consultation

If further service is needed following the initial assessment/recommendations from step 5, the TVCC clinician will work closely with you, your student and the school team to set   school-based goals and create an intervention plan. Sessions of service take place at school and may include individual or group activities. Guardians/parents play an   important role in achieving the best results for their student. Speak to your clinician about  how you can support your student’s goals at home.

Step 7 – Launch! You are on your way with new knowledge from the completed session of service

When your student has completed their session of service the TVCC clinician will discuss strategies to help you continue to work toward ongoing goals. If it is determined that an   additional session of service is required, a re-referral will be recommended by the TVCC clinician with your consent.

For More Information

Updating TVCC About Changes for Referred Students

Use the Student Update Form to provide updated information about students who are currently waiting for service. You must discuss with the family (and check on the form that it has been discussed) when you are sharing new information with TVCC. There is no need to call TVCC to discuss; if TVCC has questions, we will contact you after reviewing the form.

Important updates to share include:

  • Changes in the student’s needs. If a student’s needs have increased, it may change the length of time waiting for service. If a student no longer requires the service, please inform TVCC, and the student will be removed from the waiting list.
  • Changes to custody or contact information
  • Changes in school

Please share updates about students who are already receiving service directly with the student’s therapist.

Contact your school Principal or one of our Intake Coordinators:
519.685.8716 (in London calling area)
1.866.590.8822 ext 58716 (Toll free for callers outside the London calling area)