A recent event at the Menands School focused a bright light—and flashy—light
on the work students put into their occupational and physical therapy treatments at the school.
Using glow-in-the-dark balls, balloons and other equipment combined with a black light, the elementary school students completed several occupational and physical therapy tasks while having fun.
“This was an opportunity to celebrate all the hard work the kids have put in during occupational therapy and physical therapy all year long as well as have staff experience 
what we do during therapy,” said Occupational Therapy Assistant Carly Galvin.
Galvin, along with Physical Therapist Jill Hepp, organized the event.
On Glow Day, students were given a special invite and glow stick prior to arriving for the event. They then completed four separate stations. The first was a gross motor obstacle course in which they jump on one foot and then both and then balance on a ball while throwing rings. They followed that by crawling through the squeeze machine and finished the station with either crawling through or stepping over hurdles.
At the second station, students tested their fine motor skills by using a Lite Brite to make an image. As an alternative, students could make their own glow-in-the dark bracelets.
At the sensory station, students searched through a glow-in-the-dark mini sensory pool for letters of the alphabet. Once they had the letters, students practiced tracing or writing them. Students also had a chance to stand on a vibration plate while coloring a picture on the board. 
The fourth and final station was a free-choice station. Galvin said students could choose between making glow-in-the-dark bubbles, jumping on the trampoline while free drawing, completing a glow-in-the-dark ball toss or using glow-in-the-dark fidgets.
“The students had a fun time while practicing the skills they need to succeed,” said Galvin.
School-based occupational therapists work with students in their educational environment by addressing any barriers to participation in school tasks, such as academics, social interactions and self-care. Their work aims to help students develop the skills needed to successfully participate in the school day.
Meanwhile school-based physical therapists work with students with disabilities to help them achieve independence in academic and personal tasks. They may work with students with a variety of conditions, including neurological disorders, injuries or physical limitations.