Exploring the Physical Therapy Screening Process

1.Historically evaluations were requested that may not have been necessary or requested for the wrong discipline. 1.In Council Rock SD there was no standard procedure, therefore informal screens were being completed without any formal documentation. 2.Evaluations were being requested based on a medical diagnosis rather than if their condition was interfering with their educational performance. Why This Topic Was Chosen

Physical therapists provide educationally related services in the following areas:  Mobility- moving through school environment safely and timely (hallways, stairwells, ramps, cafeteria, outdoors) with or without an assistive device.  Accessing the playground equipment.  Overall gross motor skills as most commonly seen in PE class – example jumping, skipping, ball skills, hopping. Role of a PT vs. OT

Occupational Therapists bring expertise to some of the following areas in relation to the school environment:  Issues related to fine motor skills- tying shoes, fasteners (zippers, buttons), handwriting.  Ways to promote independence in self feeding.  Pre vocational skills.  Self help skills – managing clothing and belongings in the school setting.  Sensory Integration and Self Regulation

Request for Screening The process for a request for screening is determined by the individual district, but typically the IST or guidance counselor requests a quick screening with the purpose of determining if there seems to be enough concern to warrant a full evaluation.

Because each district does things differently, we decided to develop a standard screening form that can be used by any district. Screening Form

REQUEST FOR A PHYSICAL THERAPY SCREENING Student Name: _____________________________Date Of Birth: ________________Grade: _________ School: ________________________________________ Teacher: ____________________________________ Name & Role of Person Requesting the Physical Therapy Screening: __________________ Date of Request: ________________________ Signature: ________________________________________ Former Requests: Y/N (Circle) Does the Student have a Speech/Educational IEP or 504 plan? Y/N (Circle) If so, which and what services are they currently receiving? Screening Form

How Our Project is Being Implemented  The schools in Council Rock and Pennsbury are currently utilizing the form that was created.  They are keeping the completed PT screens in the Physical Therapy folder so that other team members can have access to it.