Therapy Services
The New Mexico DDSD supports the provision of Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), and Speech Therapy services to individuals on the Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DDW). These services may not duplicate therapy services provided under the Medicaid system.
DDW therapy services are based on the participatory approach and support the individual to maximize participation at home and in the community.
The Clinical Services Bureau contracts with state wide and national consultants who support the ongoing professional growth and development of DDW therapy providers. CSB therapists are available for training and consultation on a variety of issues.
Please see our Therapy Services Brochure for an overview of what we do. You may also contact the Clinical Services bureau to speak with a therapist in your discipline.
Training Requirements for Therapists
DDSD has requirements for initial and ongoing training for therapy providers. Please see the Clinical Services Training section of our website to learn more about therapist training requirements.
Therapy Model and Philosophy
Participatory Approach to Therapy
The participatory approach to Therapy is based on the idea that no individual is too disabled to participate in meaningful life activities. For some this is accomplished though the use of Assistive Technology and application of therapeutic strategies.
Please see the Therapy Services: Participatory Approach Philosophy Guidelines to learn more. Contact your therapy consultant if you have any questions.
Collaborative-Consultative Model of Therapy Service
The Collaborative-Consultative Model of Therapy Service is the mandated and only model of therapy service provision that is funded by the New Mexico Home and Community-Based Waiver Program (a.k.a. DDW). Please see our Therapy Services: Collaborative-Consultative Therapy Service Model Guidelines to learn more.
Therapy Service Provision
Accessing Therapy Services in Underserved Counties
Some counties in New Mexico lack adequate therapy service providers to meet the need for DDW OT, PT and SLP services.
To review resources and request support please see the following documents:
- Therapy Services: Short-Term CSB Therapy Consultation Services
- Therapy Services: Needs Identification Form
Prior Authorization
Criteria
Budget
- Therap Caseload Tool (How-To Check, Add, and Remove Individuals)
- Therapy Documentation Form Instructions
Tools
- Therapy Services: Prior Authorization – COTA/PTA Calculator Tool (Please contact Clinical Services Bureau Clinical Consultant for further information).
Therapy Services Webinars
- NM DDW 2021 Standards - Therapy Update Q & A
- NM DDW 2021 Standards - Therapy Update Slides
- NM DDW 2021 Standards - Therapy Update Webinar (password: nJSDUb3T)
Documentation
Please read the Developmental Disabilities Waiver Service Standards for complete details on therapy documentation requirements including general documentation, initial therapy evaluation reports, annual therapy reevaluation reports, the Therapy Documentation Form and more.
Documentation Resources/Templates for OT, PT, SLP Services
- Developmental Disabilities Waiver Service Standards: Therapy Documentation Standards (Chapter 12, Page 142)
- Therapy Services: Documentation Form (See Therapy Documentation Form Instructions to learn more)
- Therapy Services: Therapy Documentation Table
- Therapy Services: Discontinuation of Therapy Report (Template)
- Therapy Services: Ongoing Discharge Planning Form
Assistive Technology Inventory
- Assistive Technology: Guidelines
- Assistive Technology: Inventory Memo
- Assistive Technology: Inventory Slideshow
- Assistive Technology: Inventory List Form (See the Inventory List Sample to learn more)
- Assistive Technology: Inventory Instructions
- Assistive Technology: Inventory Monitoring Form (See the Inventory Monitoring Sample to learn more)
Assistive Technology Fund
- Assistive Technology: General Fund Introduction
- Assistive Technology: General Fund Application and Instructions
- Assistive Technology: DDW (Budget-Based) Fund Application and Instructions (1-5-2023 version)
Serving Jackson Class Members
- Developmental Disabilities Waiver Service Standards: Therapy Standards (Chapter 13, Page 130)
- Therapy Services: Jackson Class Members – Clinical Exceptions Application Form (for requesting more that 58 therapy hours).
- Therapy Services: Jackson Class Members – Clinical Exceptions Application Form Instructions
- Therapy Services: Jackson Class Members – Establishing a Therapy Budget
For JCMs the therapy services budget is created by the case manager and is based upon a request received from the therapist.
Evaluation Templates
Occupational Therapy
- Therapy Services: Evaluation Template – OT Initial Evaluation Template
- Therapy Services: Evaluation Template – OT Annual Re-Evaluation Template
- Therapy Services: Evaluation Template – OT Written Direct Support Instructions (WDSI)
Physical Therapy
- Therapy Services: Evaluation Template – PT Initial Evaluation Template
- Therapy Services: Evaluation Template – PT Annual Re-Evaluation Template
- Therapy Services: Evaluation Template – PT Written Direct Support Instructions (WDSI)
Speech-Language Pathology Therapy
- Therapy Services: Evaluation Template – SLP Initial Evaluation Template
- Therapy Services: Evaluation Template – SLP Annual Re-Evaluation Template
Required Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Supports
Individuals receiving speech-language pathology services to support communication through the New Mexico DDW are required to have specific individualized supports established and maintained when they are not functionally verbal and not understood by unfamiliar conversational partners. These supports are in the form of Written Direct Support Instructions (WDSI) and assistive technology. Please see Therapy Services: Required AAC Supports: 3 Components of an Argumentative Communication System to learn more.
Aspiration Risk Management
The Aspiration Risk Management (ARM) procedures are described in the DD Waiver Standards, Chapter 5 – Health. Therapists who support individuals who have been screened and/or assessed to be at moderate or high risk for aspiration have significant roles and responsibilities in this process.
Please see the Developmental Disabilities Waiver Service Standards Chapter 5 – Health, Section 5.5 Aspiration Risk Management to learn more.
Therapist Updates Newsletter
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2023-01)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2022-12)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2022-09)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2022-07)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2022-05)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2022-03)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2021-12)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2021-10)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2021-07)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2021-06)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2021-04)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2021-02)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2020-10)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2020-12)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2020-07)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2020-05)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2020-04)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2020-03)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2019-08)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2019-03)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2018-12)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2018-09)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2018-02)
- Therapy Services: Therapist Update Newsletter (2017-11)
Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Initiative
The following templates are highly recommended for use by Therapy Agencies to complete the required Therapy Agency QI Plan (due with the initial and renewal provider applications) as well as to complete the required Therapy Agency QI Annual Report. Please review the instructions included for each QI Template.
- Therapy Agency QI Annual Report Template
- Therapy Agency QI Annual Report Template Instructions
- Therapy Agency QI Plan Template
- Therapy Agency QI Plan Instructions
In an effort to support therapists and therapy agencies in implementing the DD Waiver Therapy Standards, the Clinical Services Bureau (CSB) has initiated a formal on-site QA review and consultation process for DD Waiver Therapy Services. One or more CSB Therapy Consultants visit the therapy agency to conduct the QA Review. This CSB Quality Review will be active at various times during the year and therapy agencies will receive further information and instructions well in advance of any on-site review. During and after the QA Review visit, a formal QA Review Summary Report is completed and technical assistance, general consultation and various clinical resources are provided as indicated.
The following is the CSB Therapy Services QA Review Tool that will be used to guide any on-site QA review and consultation process.
Learn More
Physical Therapists
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- American Physical Therapy Association New Mexico Chapter
- New Mexico Physical Therapy Licensing Board
Occupational Therapists
Please visit the Occupational Therapy section of our website to learn more.
Speech-Language Pathologists
- New Mexico Speech Language Hearing Association
- Speech Therapy Quality Assurance Pilot Findings and Tips for Future Reviews Webinar
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Please visit the Clinical Topics and Disorders in Speech-Language Pathology page on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) website for excellent resource articles on a variety of clinical issues. This includes information regarding AAC, adult dysphagia, autism, dementia and IDD.