FWPS Motor Team
The Physical Therapy Team
The Federal Way Public Schools' Motor Team consists of the following professionals: Occupational Therapists (OT), Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Physical Therapist (PT), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Adapted Physical Education Techer (AdPE), Physical Education Assistants, and administrative support.
Please call the District office on 253-945-2000 to locate the Motor Team personnel for a particular school.
A brief description of each discipline follows:
AdPE Teacher: PE Teacher that is specifically trained to assess and provide specially designed P.E. instruction for students with motor and or cognitive delays that negatively impact education.
AdPE Assistant: Paraeducator that assists the AdPE Teacher to carry out the physical education programs for groups or individual students.
Occupational Therapist: a licensed Occupational Therapist provides occupational therapy services, including assessment, consultation and/or therapy to special education students with movement and/or motor difficulties. The goal of the program is generalization of learned skills to increase independent functioning within the classroom or other educational setting.
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA): A person that is certified, licensed and educated in the field of occupational therapy. He/she works directly under an OT, delivering OT services to students.
Physical Therapist: A licensed Physical Therapist provides physical therapy services, including assessment, consultation and/or therapy to students with physical disabilities including movement and motor difficulties.
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA): Holds an A.S degree in Physical Therapy and works directly under the Physical Therapist, delivering the service plan.
Motor Team Roster
| Ad.PE Specialist |
| Patti Cox |
| Doreen Fink |
| David Gunnarson |
| Mimi Henry |
| Doris Brown |
| Steve Olson |
| Occupational Therapist |
| Mary Altena |
| Aya Clark |
| Sue Folker |
| Karen Haas |
| Wendy Kenzell |
| Sharon Larson |
| Cara Newlun |
| Barb Smith |
| Ellen Cook |
| Physical Therapist |
| Tricia Baker |
| Jane Davis |
| Darrell Hamil |
| Denise VanWey |
| Irene Wittrock |
| Melisa Zaldivar |
| Aleen Decoteau |
NOTE: The practices of PT and OT in pediatrics overlap. Both evaluate and treat issues related to sensorimotor functional capabilities in the developing child. The disciplines differ in emphases and specific skills. The emphases in P.T. are gross motor and postural control and locomotion. The emphases in O.T. are upper extremity functional activities of daily living and sensorimotor and visual-perception functioning.
The Purpose
The motor team’s principle purpose is to promote the education of students with special needs by providing screening, evaluation, intervention and consultative services.
Student Referral
- Any Motor Team concerns can be brought up by a parent, teacher, coach, etc.
- Each building's team of involved professisonals will determine the need for a formal referral, using the established processes.
- If the student qualifies, the specific Motor Team member(s) will be notified and they will instigate steps for service.
Special Education Services Available
Special Education - Motor Team
The FWPS offer the following services that involve the Motor Team staff:
- Birth to Three
- Childfind
- Preschool Assessments
- ESY (Extended School Year - Special Ed summer school)
- Adapted PE Aquatic Programs (AdPE staff)
- Aquatic Therapy (OT/PT staff)