3 - School Age PT

what is section 504?

Requires that individuals with disabilities have equal access to programs, services, and activities, even if they don’t qualify for a more intensive IEP

school-based PT age range

Kindergarten through 12th grade → up to age 21 (through Part B of IDEA)

school based-focus

assisting a student to achieve educational-related goals developed by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team

qualifications of school based PT

meets 1+ of the 13 disability classifications listed under IDEA

requiring the expertise of a PT to benefit from their IEP

Who can request consideration of need for evaluation?

Parent/guardian

Teacher

Other involved person

Standardized Assessments in the School Setting

• PDMS-3

• BOT-3

• TGMD-3

• SFA

• PEDI-CAT

Functional Testing

TUG, Timed 10m walk, Two- or Six-Minute Walk Test, Timed Up and Down Stairs, 5x Sit to Stand

roles of school based PT

Promote access to academic curriculum and participation in other school activities

Improve access to the school environment

how can we promote access to academic curriculum and participation in other school activities?

• Postural support

• Seating

• Sensory regulation

how can we improve access to the school environment?

• Transportation

• Transitions throughout the school

• Stairs

• Physical education/adaptive PE

• Playground

Who is typically part of the IEP team in schools?

CSE chairperson, parents/guardians, teacher, special education teacher, school psychologist, related service providers

What types of services can be included in an IEP?

direct or indirect (consult), group or individual

How is frequency and duration of IEP services determined?

times per week/month/year and minutes per session

Does a physician’s referral automatically determine IEP services?

No, it may be considered but does not drive decisions

How long is an IEP typically written for?

10 months

When might summer services be approved under an IEP?

substantial regression is documented

treatment areas have to be…

LEAST RESTRICTIVE environment in the school where the student is required to perform the task

Additional Duties of a School-Based PT

• COORDINATE with classroom team

• Communicate with parents/guardians

• Consult for seating, wheelchair, or orthotic management needs of student

documentation standards

• related to student’s progress towards IEP goals

• understandable to parents/members

• compliance with federal, state, local, medicaid guidelines

full IEP re-eval is required every ___ years 

3

goal writing criteria

• related to safety/function/access to school environment

• representative of activity/participation in ICF model

• annual goal with 3 objectives to be assessed quarterly

´IDEA mandates that transition planning must be included in the IEP starting at age ___

16

14 for NYS

Transition planning should occur…

every year until the student graduates or turns 21

goals of transitioning into adulthood

evaluate the needs, strengths, and skills required for students to move from high-school to post-secondary life and ensure they are academically and functionally prepared