Your therapist should work with you during rehab to quickly help you recover to your previous level of function.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
What Is School-Based Physical Therapy?
Federal law states that all children are entitled to free and public education.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
The first is called Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
This act guarantees free and public education access to people with disabilities.
Part C of IDEA governs the provision of special education services for children from birth to age 2.
Part B governs the provision of services from age 3 to 21.
The physical therapist should, when possible, provide services in the child’s natural environment in school.
In it are provisions to hold schools accountable for providing high-quality education for all students.
This includes those students with special needs and who may qualify for special education services in school.
Each school district must meet certain benchmarks under the ESSA law.
This means that they must have a plan in place for academic standards, testing, and achieving goals.
Most therapists hold adoctoral level degree.
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) may also provide rehab services to children in schools.
These professionals work under the plan of care established by the school’s physical therapist.
This may be done by a parent or caregiver, a teacher, or a school staff member.
Your child’spediatricianmay also initiate school PT services.
Then, a specialized plan of care called an individualized education plan (IEP) will be developed.
The IEP will outline:
Your child’s IEP will be updated regularly as your child progress in school.
Each member of the rehab team will be required to tune up your child’s progress at regular intervals.
What if My Child Isnt Eligible?
Your child’s participation in school may simply be monitored.
If this happens, you may wish to receive private physical therapy services at a local clinic.
This may be in the school’s special education room or in the gymnasium.
During a pull-out session, the physical therapist may work with your child to improve movement and motor control.
Recommendations may be made that may help your child be successful while learning remotely.
Summary
Every child in the U.S. is entitled to free public education.
Some children require special education services that help them be successful students and participate fully in school.
A Word From Verywell
There are many resources out there for children with disabilities.
If your child qualifies for school-based physical therapy, the services will be provided at no cost to you.
Special education programs for schools are paid for by taxpayer dollars from the federal and state levels.
2020;26(10):581-589. doi:10.1177/1357633X19854647
