You may have a student who is returning to school after a planned surgery, emergency or accident, who is now using a wheelchair or crutches. Your student may need support for classroom or school-wide access, stair access, emergency building evacuations, and/or restroom use and personal hygiene care. Your school-based physical therapist (PT) can support you through this process.

It is important to remember that your student cannot return to school until his/her mobility has been assessed by the school-based PT in order to determine the student’s ability to safely mobilize in the school environment and to determine the support he/she may require upon return to school.

In collaboration with the school nurse, medical information will be collected. A plan must be developed with the needed accommodations in place for a safe return to school.

What the physical therapist may provide:

• Coordination with the school nurse to verify any medical records/orders.

• Immediate evaluation/assessment of the student’s mobility skills.

• Assess school-wide access and determine accessibility needs.

• Determine the need for educational and environmental accommodations.

• Collaborate with school teams to develop plans for accommodation implementation.

• Attend planning meetings between the family and school team regarding a student's return to school.

• Provide needed equipment to the school to ensure student safety and schoolwide accessibility.

• Provide staff training according to the support a student may need.

Your school-based therapist DOES NOT provide post-op rehabilitation, does not provide mobility devices or mobility device training, or stair training. This will be provided through your private medical provider team.