Physical Therapy Services

Goal of Physical Therapy:

Pediatric Physical Therapy in a school environment assists children who have difficulty with or deficits in gross motor function, ambulation, posture, strength, coordination, functional mobility and/or sensory integration that impair their education.

Physical Therapy Process:

Students may be admitted to school with an IEP in place that includes Physical Therapy services. This student is evaluated by the PT and therapy is continued as delineated unless a change of service” is warranted following the PT evaluation. If this is the case, an IEP meeting is called to discuss any changes needed in this new school/residential environment.

Other students may be screened by the physical therapist at the request of other staff members who have observed a physical impairment that is impeding the educational process of functional mobility in the school setting. If it is found that physical therapy is needed for this student, again an IEP meeting is held to communicate PT recommendations prior to initiation of PT services. Goals and objectives of the student’s physical therapy program are individualized based on each child’s specific needs.

For ongoing treatment, the physical therapist utilizes a variety of neuro-developmental techniques, individualized exercises, and other activities to promote improvement in any deficit areas. The PT may also recommend or adapt the student’s adaptive equipment (such as wheelchair, ambulation device, ADL equipment, lower extremity braces, orthotics, etc.) to enhance the child’s independence at school.

Most students are seen “one on one” with the physical therapists in our therapeutic pod area. However, the physical therapist will also work with students in the classroom, in adaptive P.E. class, in other natural environments, in a group setting, or even in conjunction with speech or occupational therapy as needed to best enhance the child’s physical abilities. Some students are seen on an indirect consultative basis once direct PT services are no longer necessary, but continued interaction is needed with staff for carryover of an established program of exercise, ambulation, postural control, adaptive equipment management, or other program. Training and consultation is provided by the physical therapist to teaching staff, vocational staff and residential staff as needed. Some of these trainings may include use of any adaptive equipment and/or exercises that may be needed for the child.

Parent communication takes place quarterly through progress reports, yearly at IEP meetings, and whenever needed at other times through phone or email communication. Therapists communicate with teachers and staff about individual student needs/progress/observations on an ongoing basis.

Current Staffing:

1 full-time Physical Therapist
1 part-time Physical Therapist

Once the IEP is approved to include Physical Therapy, services are then provided in the following methods:

  • Direct one-on-one services within the therapeutic environment
  • Integrated services within the natural setting including by not limited to classroom, dining room, pool area, ITC, dorm, home economics, and sensory environments.
  • Co-treatment with other therapeutic services, such as PT, SLP and special educators, to establish generalization of skills to other environments
  • Consultative services to support student/staff through education