Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists in Pueblo School District 70 provide services for students receiving special education who need direct or indirect physical therapy services as determined by the IEP team. The duties of a school-based physical therapist (PT) and physical therapy assistant (PTA) revolve around restoring and promoting healthy movement patterns in children. Using their expertise in movement and function, physical therapists help students who have a disability with which they are eligible for special education and related services. The physical therapist and physical therapist assistant work with qualifying students to promote independent functioning in activities of daily living that occur within the school environment such as wheelchair transfers and transfers to and from adaptive equipment (gait trainers, walkers, adapted trikes, standers, mat tables, or changing tables). They help the student establish and maintain their performance within the capabilities of the student; develop and/or improve foundational gross motor function skills; develop and improve walking skills with or without adaptive equipment to access and participate in the educational environment; work on posture and positioning of the student within the school day, and work on recreational skills for participation in PE, music, recess, class activities and play.

The physical therapist evaluates students who are receiving exceptional student services if an evaluation is requested or who are being evaluated for ESS services where there are gross motor concerns to determine the need for physical therapy. The therapist develops appropriate therapy programs, including routines for classroom and all special classes; and provides direct therapy to students. Services include direct service and/or indirect services that include consultation with school staff, families, medical personnel, community agencies, and others as needed. The physical therapist orders adaptive equipment that is needed to help the student access the school environment. The therapist is responsible for documentation, planning and treatment activities, preparing reports of students' progress and evaluations, and consulting with parents, classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. The employee is also responsible for modifications of equipment and/or environment and in-service training. The employee is expected to set up a treatment plan for most gross motor delays that do not require additional medical diagnosis. A student does not need an order from a doctor to receive educationally relevant physical therapy. However, orders from doctors may be needed for patients with a medical diagnosis to make sure that the student is medically safe to do certain treatments and/or following surgery.

The physical therapist supervises the physical therapist assistant and follows rules of supervision from the Department of Regulatory Agencies.

Pueblo County School District 70