According to the American Physical Therapy Association...

"Physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.

Physical therapists teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they will achieve long-term health benefits. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices."

According to the American Physical Therapy Association...

"Physical Therapy in School Settings Physical therapy (PT) is one of the related services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is provided to support the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students ages 3-21, who have a disability that interferes with their educational performance and ability to benefit from their education program. When the student’s IEP identifies PT as a needed resource, physical therapists will be integrated as members of a multidisciplinary school team. Using their unique expertise in movement and function, PTs ensure a free and appropriate education for students with disabilities to prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. The school-based PT promotes motor development and the student’s participation in everyday routines and activities that are a part of his or her program. The PT designs and performs therapeutic interventions, including compensation, remediation and prevention strategies and adaptations, focusing on functional mobility and safe, efficient access and participation in educational activities and routines in natural learning environments.

Specific roles and responsibilities include:

• Participating in the IEP/504 process, including collaboratively determining the need for physical therapy as a related service under IDEA or as a reasonable accommodation under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);

• Gathering appropriate information from students, parents, and other team members regarding the child’s functional motor performance in school settings;

• Selecting, administering, and interpreting a variety of screening instruments and standardized measurement tools;

• Collaboratively with students’ IEP teams, examining and evaluating eligible students’ strengths and needs to establish their ability to participate in meaningful school activities and routines with or without assistance;

• Designing and implementing physical therapy interventions that allow students to benefit from their educational program;

• Measuring and documenting student progress resulting from the designed physical therapy interventions;

• Teaching and training family members and educational personnel in an effort to help the student achieve his or her IEP goals;

• Functioning as a consultant to other school personnel, parents, and students to coordinate the delivery of physical therapy services, which may include: o Interpretation of assessments and recommendations; o Explanation of the potential impact of developmental, medical and/or sensorimotor impairments on educational performance; o Instruction of other caregivers regarding the physical management of students, such as safe lifting, positioning, assisted ambulation, gross motor programs, vocational tasks, leisure activities, and/or equipment use; o Setting realistic expectations for student performance in school; and o Selecting, modifying, or customizing adaptive equipment and assistive technology.

• Forming partnerships and working with other team members in the school setting to promote an effective physical therapy plan of care;

• Coordinating physical therapy interventions within the student’s educational program;

• Adapting environments to facilitate student access and participation in the educational program;

• Educating school personnel and families to promote inclusion of students within the educational setting by developing, demonstrating, training, and monitoring the effectiveness of strategies and intervention activities, and subsequently using gathered data to make program modification decisions. This includes the use of assistive technology for access and participation in the general education curriculum;

• Supporting the safe transportation of students; • Referring students to other related service personnel and to healthcare providers as appropriate; and

• Serving as a liaison among school, medical personnel, and medical equipment vendors; Physical Therapists are integral members of the school-based teams that ensure a free and appropriate education for students with disabilities and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. "

What can you do to help your child work on their PT skills at home?

Physical therapy sessions in school with your child are individualized based on their specific needs and accommodations. In light of the recent school closure Govenor Wolf ordered on March 13th, 2020, our PT team is working to provide you with some resources you can use at home to continue to address your student's PT skills.

• You can access the list of supplemental activities by clicking the Resources tab above.

• Please contact your child's physical therapist via phone or email with questions. Find your child's physical therapist by clicking on the Our Team tab above and scroll down to see our formal letter below which also includes our contact information.