Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy Services
Physical therapy serves help students improve, reconstruct, and sustain body movement and operation. Children at each grade level can benefit tremendously from school-based physical therapy services to enhance movement and manage pain. School-based Physical Therapists work with children with a variety of conditions, including:
- Developmental delays
- Physical, intellectual, and learning disabilities
- Cerebral palsy
- Progressive neuromuscular disorders
- Autism or a sensory processing disorder
These services enable students to beat the mobility and additional functional challenges that affect learning in the school context, participate fully in their learning environments, and complete academic coursework to the best of their ability. These specialized therapists are dedicated to helping others and equipping students to grow more independent in the classroom.
What Is a Physical Therapist?
School Physical Therapists assist students with physical disabilities from accidents, illnesses, or injuries and functional limitations in gaining physical skills like mobility, transitions, gross motor control, ambulation, balance, and coordination. These professionals help students become more active by reducing their reliance on medications and achieving optimal results without surgery.
Physical Therapists have knowledge and expertise in multiple subject areas, including kinesiology, therapeutic exercises, neuropathology, and orthopedic practice. They offer interventions that treat and address impairments that exacerbate functional limitations, such as posture, strength, coordination, and balance, affecting children’s ability to engage in their learning program and environment.
Physical Therapy Assistants work under the guidance and oversight of credentialed Physical Therapists. They administer treatment plans to assist children in enhancing their mobility and quality of life. These professionals have excellent listening and communication skills and the capacity to work effectively on a team.
Therapeutic interventions fixate on advancing the child’s ability to move parts of the body, coordinate motions into gross motor skills, and cultivate strength and resilience for functional mobility. Physical Therapy professionals help students climb stairs, travel throughout the school, access the school cafeteria, etc.
These professionals utilize interventions, including seating adjustments, movability aids, and equipment created to ensure that the learning environment is more accessible. Physical Therapists also train, collaborate, and consult with educational staff about the activities and accommodations to be effected. Services can be offered individually or in groups.
What Do Physical Therapists Do?
Review students’ medical history, referrals, or notes from healthcare professionals
Diagnose students’ functions and motions by observing them walk or stand
Create highly tailored plans of care for students, delineating the students’ goals, and the expected results of the plans
Utilize physical therapy exercises, stretches, direct therapy, and equipment to alleviate students’ pain, improve their mobility, prevent pain or injury in the future, and promote wellness
Assess and measure a student’s progress, adjusting the plan of care and attempting various treatment plans
Educating students and their families about what to expect from the process of recovery and how to address difficulties during the process Physical Therapy Services at Therapy Source
At Therapy Source, we offer access to in-person and online therapy services and evaluations administered by Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants at public schools, charter schools, virtual schools, and other learning institutions.
If your school has a shortage of therapists, needs support with a larger caseload, or could benefit from assistance with implementing a remote or hybrid model, our services and industry expertise are available, free of charge, if you partner with us. We provide an extensive network of physical therapy professionals to fill both full-time and part-time positions offering pre-K to 12 therapy services across the nation.
No matter what services your school needs, Therapy Source is here to help. If you’re ready to discover more about how we can meet your school’s physical therapy staffing needs, we’d love for you to request our services today.