What do physical therapists do in the schools?

• Work with students directly on motor and safety skills to improve mobility and independence  
• Playground accessibility
• Transitions to different areas of the school
• Stair negotiation/curb negotiation
• Uneven surfaces outside (i.e. walking on the nature trail)
• Work with staff to facilitate the student’s participation in class activities and ensure staff safety  
• Transfers
• Supporting students in different positions (i.e circle time, standing frames)
• Work to assist students’ access to their curriculum, extra curricular activities, their classroom, bus, school and school grounds  
• Getting onto and off of the bus
• Field trips
• Consult for facility planning and transition planning (work sites, community access and plans for after graduation)
• Travel to worksites to recommend modifications and adaptations
• General environmental modifications to promote independence and sound ergonomics and architectural barriers 
• Transportation  
• Safe bus transportation (i.e. carseats, harnesses, etc.)
• Promote interaction with peers  
• Playground interactions
• Enhancing child’s ability to participate as safely as possible with peers
• Safety and prevention policies, activities and procedures (evacuation, good body mechanics, health promotion)
• Transfer training
• Evacuation training
• Modifications (i.e. changing tables, lift equipment, etc)
• Playground safety modifications