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.

Session Descriptions & Speakers

Preparing Youth for Transition to Adulthood (Wed, August 30, 1-2:15 pm ET)

This session will discuss how school-based physical therapists can support the transition mandates of IDEA 2004. Participants will learn how to leverage practices which predict student success- becoming engaged citizens through work, volunteer work, further education, independent and community living. A data-focused, student-centered approach will explore early planning, potential evaluation, meaningful transition activities, and community-based intervention within the IEP process. PT practitioners have important contributions to help our students lead their transition activities, focus efforts, backchain and address gaps in practical ways. 

Toni Doty PT, PhD is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy who has worked with children for over 30 years, in the NICU, EI, and schools. She received her BS in Physical Therapy from Ohio State University, her post-professional MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma, and her PhD in Special Education/Transition Leadership from Kent State University. Dr. Doty is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the DPT program at Walsh University. She was chair of APTA’s Taskforce on the Continuum of Care for People with Lifelong Disabilities, chair and vice chair of the Adolescents and Adults with Differing Abilities SIG of APTA Pediatrics. Dr. Doty’s research includes the impact of testing environment on gross motor performance of children, the role of physical therapists working with secondary students under IDEA, effectiveness of interventions for adults with cerebral palsy, and healthcare transition issues for adults with lifelong disability.