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Functional Physical Therapy provides school-based
therapy services, for students under Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and 504.
A fundmental question that needs to be asked "Do all physical therapists have
training in school-based practice as part of their professional education?"
The answer is no. School administrators, teachers and other learning specialists should
be aware that just because someone is a PT does not automatically mean that they have been trained to be
practitioners in educational settings.
Schools should look at the following list of important skills for therapists to
function more competently in an educational environment:
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Knowledge of disabling conditions of children |
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Knowledge of federal and state regulations, due process and local policies and procedures pertaining to special education and Section 504 |
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Ability to evaluate the functional performance of students within school environmentsKnowledge of federal and state regulations, due process and local policies and procedures pertaining to special education and Section 504 |
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Ability to participate in group decision-making and plan appropriate intervention |
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Ability to integrate related services within IEP/IFSP objectives |
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Knowledge of major theories, intervention strategies and research relating to educational implication for schools |
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Ability to implement and modify activities for therapeutic intervention within the school setting |
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Ability to document progress and intervention results and to relate this information to the child's goals and objectives |
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Ability to interpret the role of the therapeutic intervention within the educational setting to educational personnel, administrators, parents, students and the community |
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