Audience

This online course is intended for physical therapists who provide or intend to provide related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

To register for additional individual sessions in this series - or to register for the full Innovations in School-based Therapy course – visit the On-Demand Courses page.

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will:

1. Understand foundational federal laws and regulations for ensuring a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), including provision of required related services for students with disabilities under IDEA and Section 504.
2. Apply evidence and data to individualize and make appropriate decisions regarding evaluation, outcome measures, models of service delivery, individualization, advocacy, and evidence-informed interventions.
3. Apply knowledge gained to influence and advocate for appropriate services, staffing, physical activity and fitness, collaboration across practice settings, adequate supports and self-determination for students with disabilities.
4. Incorporate evidenced-informed evaluation and intervention for students with complex disability.
5. Describe the role of school-based physical therapy in provision of assistive technology, individualized transportation services, and to prepare students and their families for adulthood through post-school transition.

Live session

• Wed, August 16, 1-2:15 pm ET: Educationally Relevant Physical Therapy - Karen Tartick

Session Descriptions & Speakers

Educationally Relevant Physical Therapy (Wed, August 16, 1-2:15 pm ET)

The scope of physical therapy in the educational setting will be described, as well as the critical role of collaboration and working as members of interprofessional teams, with students, families, and instructional personnel to support students’ access to their educational environment and school day. How school-based physical therapists deliver services in the least restrictive environment through daily school routines and clarity on our role with other stakeholders will be highlighted through interactive discussion and case studies. 

Karen Tartick, PT, has provided physical therapy services for over 37 years in a variety of pediatric settings, including early intervention, acute care, NICU, and in the North Carolina and New York school systems. Karen is an APTA Advanced Clinical Instructor and served as mentor for the school-based portion of the pediatric residency program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Duke University Health System. Karen contributed to several fact sheets on behalf of the APTA Pediatrics School SIG. Karen presents nationally on autism, embedding physical therapy interventions in school settings, adaptive equipment for children with complex needs, and the role of school therapists in successfully transitioning from high school.