By Tracy Christenson and Holly Christopher

Physical therapists play important roles in schools, especially for children with disabilities! School-based physical therapists act as part of a team to evaluate a student’s abilities and disabilities and determine their therapy-related needs. Students receive physical therapy in school when their needs are related to their education and their ability to function in the school environment.

Navigating the School Environment

School physical therapists help disabled children to move through the school environment with as little assistance as possible and participate more fully in classroom activities. To help their students, school-based physical therapists need to understand child development, orthopedic development, neurological development (understanding the brain and nervous system that control human senses and movement), and emotional and behavioral regulation.

Developing Strength of Mobility

Physical therapists particularly focus on helping students develop their balance, coordination, and motor control and to increase their strength and mobility. By helping them to develop or improve these skills, physical therapists help students with disabilities learn to safely navigate different parts of the school and different school-related activities, including:

• Using the restrooms, stairs, and the cafeteria.
• Moving between different positions in the classroom and from one class to another (using assistive devices, such as a walker or wheelchair, if necessary).
• Maintaining balance while sitting in different locations, such as chairs, on the floor, and on the school bus.
• Moving around the playground, using playground equipment, and participating in physical activities during gym class or recess.

Developmental Assessments

Physical therapists in schools may administer and interpret pediatric developmental tests to assess a student’s needs and provide gait and motion training. They may also provide guidance to other member’s a child’s educational team, such as the child’s parents, teachers, and other healthcare professionals, helping them to understand the student’s condition, needs, and any assistive devices for walking, standing, or positioning that the student may use.

School physical therapists are important for helping students with disabilities manage their conditions and participate more fully in their education. They help ensure that students with disabilities receive free and appropriate education for their conditions and prepare for the transition to higher levels of education and future employment.

Are you interested in working as a school-based physical therapist? Join the Stellar Therapy Team! We are actively recruiting now!

Sources

Physical Therapist. Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education/Related-Services/Physical-Therapist

School Based Physical Therapy. American Physical Therapy Association. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.apta.org/your-practice/practice-models-and-settings/school-based-physical-therapy   

School Based Physical Therapy. Glynn County Schools. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.glynn.k12.ga.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1727227&type=d&pREC_ID=2216882   

School Based Physical Therapy. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://dpi.wi.gov/sped/educators/consultation/physical-therapy