The role of physical therapists in the school system is very important. Physical therapy involves the exercise and massage of the muscles in the body to help children or adults become more mobile and flexible in order to carry out every day activities. These exercises are extremely important to children that suffer from disabilities or childhood injuries.
Physical therapy jobs in the school system involve helping children be able to better perform tasks that are required at school. These involve working with children to make sure they can open and close doors, remain safe on the playground, and other bigger tasks. In some cases, physical therapy allows students to remain in a normal school setting. Most children that receive these services while at school are being monitored through an IEP (Individualized Educational Program). The IEP sets requirements for the therapy based on the student's needs. It also develops goals that are to be met after a specific time period. Therapists work with teachers, counselors, and school administrators to help create and successfully carry out an IEP for students.
Some children, especially those with disabilities, undergo physical therapy services throughout their entire educational career. Other children, mainly those suffering from an injury, may only stay in the program until a set goal is reached.
Most school systems only have one or two physical therapists that serve all of the schools within the system. The therapist works through a schedule set and visits each school. Depending on the needs set in the IEP, students may receive physical therapy one or two times each week. Schools that have classes designated specifically for special needs children may have a full time therapist or a therapist that visits more frequently.
During the session, the child may work on both fine motor and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are typically worked on with the help of an occupational therapist. Increasing fine motor skills will help the student with writing, eating, and other fine motor activities while at school. Blocks, small manipulative, and clay may be used in exercise activities. Gross motor skills will help the child perform during physical education activities as well as traveling within the school setting. Large exercise balls and other exercise equipment that require large muscle use are used during these exercises.
Schools are becoming much more than place for educating children. In today's world, schools are taking additional measures to ensure that children are given the best opportunities possible to gain an education. This involves keeping them healthy and physically fit in order to participate in learning. School physical therapy jobs are perfect for those that want to enhance a child's school physical experience.
