As part of the Physical Therapist (PT) assessment to determine the need for PT services in the school setting, the PT will assess the student's ability to access their educational environment. This will include the assessment of the student's gross motor development and skills needed to safely and successfully access the school environment.

Physical therapists will develop a treatment plan to address gross motor skills that are preventing full access. Motor skill development may be addressed through both hands-on therapeutic interventions and activity, as well as coaching of the school staff.

Areas of physical therapy intervention include, but are not limited to:

• Head/trunk control to engage in classroom instruction

• Head/trunk control to activate switches/adaptive technology (AT)

• Motor control to access switches and augmentative devices

• Trunk/core control for seated stability in a regular classroom chair or adapted seating option

• Ability to transfer to/from seating devices

• Strength and balance control to remain standing for periods of time

• Strength, balance control, and coordination to complete transitions throughout the school day (e.g., transitions from sitting to standing, floor transitions, etc.)

• General gait and walking skills in the classroom

• Gait and walking skills to access the school-wide environment

• Strength, balance, and coordination to use stairs in the school environment

• Ability to participate in PE class and other specialized classes

• Ability to use playground equipment and to participate in recess activities

• Ability to independently make use of the restroom

• Ability to independently access the lunchroom (e.g., go through the lunch lines, safely transfer onto the lunch benches and remain seated on the lunch benches, etc.)

• Ability to safely board school transportation