When your students don't need you anymore...

When to graduate students from school-based physical therapy services?

• Along with current level of function and looking at history of progress, here are some questions to ask:

• Do they have motor deficits that impact their ability to meaningfully participate or access their education/environment.

• If there are motor deficits that have an impact, can they be addressed by the current classroom support (teacher, aide)?

  • If the answer is a 'yes' then graduating from physical therapy supports and services is appropriate.

  • If the answer is 'no', is there any other service provider who can more appropriately address this area of need? (APE, OT, O&M)

• If no other service provider can provide the needed supports, then ask yourself if the skilled intervention (direct or consult) from a physical therapist is needed.
  
  Sometimes the child may be in an inappropriate placement, other service providers who are better equipped to intervene aren't currently on service and an assessment is warranted, or it's outside your school based scope and a recommendation to an outside is needed.