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What is
School Physical Therapy (PT) Service?
As a related service,
the goal of PT service is to enable students with disabilities to
achieve functional independence in the school environment. PT's provide
direct and indirect service to a student when it is required in order
to implement that student's educational program. These services to
students, school teams, and families may include:
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Recommending strategies, modifications, and adaptive aids in order
to improve school performance, and to include disabled students
in school activities.
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Developing activities to improve large muscle control and balance,
to promote sensorimotor development (body awareness, postural control),
and/or to promote independence in functional mobility skills.
School PT intervention
is limited to that which is required for the student to benefit from
their educational program. There may be aspects of a student's disability
which do not interfere with education but could be addressed by a
physical therapist in another setting.
What
Are Direct and Indirect PT Services?
Indirect PT service
is a service to a school team on behalf of a student. It refers to
service provided to help school personnel and parents work more effectively
and efficiently with the student. It may include:
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Explaining how a student's medical, sensorimotor, or developmental
problem will affect his school performance.
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Suggesting
modifications to school activities and the school environment.
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Adapting positioning equipment for use in school.
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Instructing in the use and care of adapted and assistive devices.
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Developing,
demonstrating, and monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic activities
carried out by school personnel.
Direct PT service
refers to service provided directly to a student, whether individually
or in a group. It is used when the intervention activities require
the expertise of a PT or PTA. It may include:
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Implementing therapeutic activities to support a student's educational
program when PT expertise is required for safety or effectiveness.
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Exploration
of seating and positioning adaptations that will increase independence
or participation in school activities.
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Training
school staff in skills required for the physical management of the
student, including specific handling techniques or helping a student
to use special equipment.
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Exploring
individualized modifications to school activities or the environment
(ex. using special equipment to move around the school).
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Ongoing
reassessment of the student's needs and the role of the PT in meeting
those needs.
What
Students Are Eligible for School PT Service?
To be eligible
for school PT service, students must:
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Be identified as having a disability that interferes with education
under the criteria of IDEA (the Individuals With Disabilities Education
Act) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;
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And have neuromuscular problems that interfere with their ability
to move about the classroom or other areas of the school, or to
participate in the motor activities needed to access their education;
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And need PT intervention to become more independent or better able
to participate in school activities.
Who
Provides School PT Service?
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School
PT service is provided by Maryland licensed physical therapists
and Maryland licensed physical therapy assistants.
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PT's and PTA's are part of the interdisciplinary team that plans
and monitors the student's special education Individual Education
Program or written 504 Plan.
How
Can I Find Out More About School PT?
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If your child attends a Baltimore County Public School, contact
your child's classroom teacher, school administrator, or the physical
therapist assigned to the school.
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If
your child is birth to 3 years of age, contact Baltimore County's
Infants and Toddlers Program at (410)887-2169.
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If
your child is three years old to 21 years old, and does not attend
a Baltimore County Public School, contact the office of Child
Find at (410)887-3017.
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