School-based Physical Therapy

What is school-based physical therapy?

School-based physical therapy services are designed to ensure that the student is able to paticipate in his/her educational programming with regard to gross motor functional independence.  School-based physical therapy is provided only if a medical diagnosis or gross motor delay is determined by the IEP team to have an adverse effect on the student’s performance at school. Children who qualify for clinical or out-patient physical therapy services may not qualify for school-based PT.

As such, students who are currently receiving physical therapy from a medical outpatient facility should continue with their medical-based physical therapy.  School-based physical therapy is not a replacement for medical-based physical therapy. 

Who is eligible:

School-based physical therapy is a related service provided to any special education student who demonstrates deficits in gross motor functioning that affects their academic performance. Physical therapists focus on the evaluation of PreK-12th grade students’ gross motor skills and needs. Primary attention is given to ensuring that each student has the gross motor ability to effectively access his or her educational environment.

How is eligibility determined:

For a student who has qualified for special education services, his or her IEP team meets and determines if gross motor skills are affecting the student’s academic performance.  If recommended by the team, a Physical Therapist  assessment of gross motor skills that includes identifying deficits in balance, coordination, strength, posture, and mobility within the school setting is utilized to develop a plan for intervention which may include direct physical therapy services, support for staff and/or further assessment by the adaptive physical education team. School-based PTs may also identify possible architectural barriers within the school setting, evaluate the student’s seating and positioning needs, and provide equipment recommendations to reduce these gross motor barriers.

School-based physical therapy can support students and staff in a variety of settings and ways

Direct services

• Balance Skills
• Transfer Skills
• Therapeutic Exercises to address needs in strength, joint range of motion and balance
• Safe navigation of school campus (may include hallways, classroom, cafeteria, playground and bus stairs) on feet or with adaptive equipment (wheelchair or walker for example)
• Gross Motor Skills to allow particiaption in recess, peer play and physical education
• Community Independence (a need that increases as students near graduation)
• Safety Awareness and Fall/Injury Prevention

Indirect / Consultative Services:

• Staff Training
• Assess/Support Equipment Use
• Building assessment to determine architectural and environmental barriers
• Safety in school and on playground
• Transitions from school to community
• Career site and community outings support
• Education of students/staff, including disability awareness information and activities

Discharge from School-Based Physical Therapy 

The ultimate goal is for the student to achieve functional mobility independence; physical therapy may be used to aid the child in this goal. Discharge is a collaborative team decision. The team may consider discharge when: the student no longer qualifies for special education, or other staff may be able to provide the necessary interventions, or their needs are being met in the classroom through accommodations or modifications, or when the student has met their school-based physical therapy goals and are able to successfully participate in their current educational curriculum.

What to do if you have gross motor concerns for your child?  

Parents are encouraged to first speak to their classroom teacher regarding their concerns. If the teacher also shares these concerns then either the parent or teacher can contact the building physical therapist.

A-MAZ-ING

OT/PT Department Movement Mazes

What is a Movement Maze?

When students are struggling to pay attention and participate due to self-regulatory differences, the use of mazes can help students regain control and return to an optimal state for learning in order to make the most of their educational time at school.  Movement mazes help students get ready to learn by: getting their wiggles out, taking a brain break, releasing frustrations, improving balance, practicing self-control, feeling happy, getting stronger and restoring energy.

Why use Movement Mazes?

Movements Mazes help provide an additional strategy to help students achieve, maintain, or regain self-regulation for better attention and learning. The mazes provide opportnities to improve essential skills such as crossing midline, motor planning, coordination, and balance, that contribute to school performance.

How are Movement Mazes used?

The mazes can be used as a preventative strategy, as a transistion strategy, or as a brain break.  They may be done individually with students or in a large group.  Frequency of use and consistency of use play a role in the effectiveness of the maze.

Where are the Movement Mazes located?

The following Columbus City Schools currently have Movement Mazes installed in them:

-Alpine Elementary School
-Avalon Elementary School
-Avondale Elementary School 
-Beatty Park Elementary School
-Berwick K-8
-Binns Elementary
-Broadleigh Elementary School
-Burroughs Elementary School
-Cassady Elementary School
-Cedarwood Alternative Elementary School
-Clinton Elementary School
-Columbus Global Academy
-Como Elementary School
-Devonshire Elementary School
-Duxberry Park Elementary School
-Eakin Elementary School 
-East Linden Elementary School 
-Eastgate Elementary School
-Easthaven Elementary School
-Ecole Kenwood Elementary School
-Fairmoor Elementary School
-Fairwood Elementary School
-Gables Elementary School
-Georgian Heights Elementary School 
-Hamilton STEM Academy
-Highland Elementary School
-Hubbard Mastery School
-Huy Elementary School
-Indian Springs Elementary School
-Innis Elementary School
-Leawood Elementary School
-Liberty Elementary School
-Lindbergh Elementary School
-Linden Park Elementary School
-Livingston Elementary School
-Oakland Park Elementary School
-Maize Elementary School 
-Moler Elementary School
-North Linden Elementary School
-Northtowne Elementary School
-Oakmont Elementary School
-Olde Orchard Alternative School
-Ohio Avenue Elementary School
-Parkmoor Elementary School
-Salem Elementary School
-Shady Lane Elementary School
-Southwood Elementary School
-Starling K-8
-Sullivant Elementary School
-Watkins Elementary School
-Westgate Elementary School
-West Mound Elementary School
-Winterset Elementary School
-Woodcrest Year Round School
-Valley Forge Elementary School
-South Mifflin STEM Academy
-Parsons Elementary School
-Weinland Park Elementary School
-Buckeye Middle School
-Dominion Middle School
-Wedgewood Middle School
-East High School
-Eastmoor Academy High School