What is School based physical therapy?
School-based physical therapy is a related service to special education that provides assessments and services to qualifying students under a 504 accommodation plan or an IEP. Unlike medically or hospital based physical therapy services, school-based physical therapy is provided only if it is educationally relevant or if without the service the child would be unable to access their regular or special education curriculum. Refining or maximizing weak motor skills would not be addressed if a student is able to move around their school environment safely and participate in their special education curriculum as needed with appropriate accommodations or modification.
Although school based physical therapists are concerned with underlying neuromuscular issues such as muscle tone, strength or range of motion, the focus of treatment is directed away from isolated motor skills that might be seen in a developmental chart and directed toward functional tasks (i.e. walking with appropriate speed and endurance, safely negotiating stairs) needed to access their school environment and special education curriculum. Students may have motor concerns that might qualify them for medically based services, but if the concern is not interfering significantly with their ability to learn and access their educational programming, then they may not receive PT at school
PT’s who work in educational settings may provide services related to the functional use of the body for postural alignment, mobility around school (ex. walking, stair climbing, wheelchair mobility), use of braces or prosthesis, maintaining/improving endurance in mobility skills for school participation, design and procurement of adaptive equipment to support posture and movement for the school routine, positioning for independent postures/function and or movement required during a school day.
School based Therapists strive to continually make their services less necessary or invasive. They provide modifications to the environment, appropriate equipment or tools, educate the student and staff on appropriate strategies and follow through, and monitor the effectiveness of all supports. This approach to service delivery ideally results in students remaining in their classrooms learning with their peers.
Although school based physical therapists are concerned with underlying neuromuscular issues such as muscle tone, strength or range of motion, the focus of treatment is directed away from isolated motor skills that might be seen in a developmental chart and directed toward functional tasks (i.e. walking with appropriate speed and endurance, safely negotiating stairs) needed to access their school environment and special education curriculum. Students may have motor concerns that might qualify them for medically based services, but if the concern is not interfering significantly with their ability to learn and access their educational programming, then they may not receive PT at school
PT’s who work in educational settings may provide services related to the functional use of the body for postural alignment, mobility around school (ex. walking, stair climbing, wheelchair mobility), use of braces or prosthesis, maintaining/improving endurance in mobility skills for school participation, design and procurement of adaptive equipment to support posture and movement for the school routine, positioning for independent postures/function and or movement required during a school day.
School based Therapists strive to continually make their services less necessary or invasive. They provide modifications to the environment, appropriate equipment or tools, educate the student and staff on appropriate strategies and follow through, and monitor the effectiveness of all supports. This approach to service delivery ideally results in students remaining in their classrooms learning with their peers.