Physical

Therapists in
Shcools
Greg Bommarito
Xsavior Sanchez
What does Physical Therapist do in a School
Setting?
● In a school setting, a physical therapist (PT)
plays a crucial role in helping students with
physical disabilities or impairments to
improve their mobility, motor skills, and
overall physical function.

● Here are some of the main responsibilities of

a Physical Therapist.1) Assessments and
Evaluations which help to understand student
needs and challenges. 2) Develop IEP for
students with disabilities with developing
their gross motor skills
Qualities of a physical therapist
● Great communication - making sure to
explain proper exercises or treatment
programs

● Compassion - Comfort the patient and

encourage the patient during sessions

● Time management - Use time

effectively while working with the
patient, and keep a schedule or routine
Professional organization membership
● American Physical therapist organization
(APTA)
● American Academy of Orthopedic manual
physical therapist
● American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)
Specialist Certification

● World Physiotherapy
● Foundation of physical therapy
Educational Background Needed
● Undergraduate Bachelor's degree
● Enroll and complete Post graduate physical
therapy program
● Apply for Physical therapy license
● Pass CLE (California Law Examination)
● Pass the NPTE (National Physical Therapy
Exam)
National conferences
APTA TRANSform conference (American
Physical therapy Association)

Locations

● 2024- Boston
● 2025- Huston
● 2026- Anaheim
Interview Questions
Discuss the various job area responsibilities of your position. What do you feel to be the most important
qualifications in your profession?

In the school setting, physical therapist a responsible to ensure students can “access their school environment.”
Through evaluations and therapeutic interventions, we increase strength, range of motion, motor planning,
coordination...overall...gross motor skills. PTs in the school setting are also responsible for ordering equipment to
allow the student to participate in school activities. This can include gait trainers, standing frames, specialized
chairs and adaptive tricycles.

Some of the most important qualifications is team work. In this setting PTs collaborate with teachers, aides,
nurses, OTs, speech therapist, school psychs and parents. You must be willing to work as a team in order to
ensure the most success for each student.
Interview Questions
What strategies have you developed for working and collaborating effectively with
other professionals on the multidisciplinary team?

I find it helpful to not only service a student for their offer of FAPE minutes, but to
also push into their daily routine of their school day in order to see areas of need
that you were unfamiliar with. For instance, I may be pulling a student to work on
standing balance, but if I do not observe them during lunch, I may not also realize
they struggle walking through the lunch line to carry their food. It is helpful to
push into classrooms and recess as well.
Questions
● Does physical therapy hurt the individual?
Depends on the client and severity of injury
● How long does physical therapy last?
This as well depends on the severity of the injury or medical condition, but
sessions can range anywhere from 45-60 minutes
● What happens during a physical therapy session?
Physical therapist will work with their clients by having them go through exercises
that involve stretching, or any physical movements toward healing an injured are
of the body
Questions Cont.
● What can a client expect on their first session?
Client will begin by filling out paperwork in the beginning, and the physical therapist
will have medical information such as CT scans and X rays. Client will be dressed in
comfortable workout attire as if they were going to the gym.
● Will a client have to complete exercises outside of physical therapy or only
during?
Physical therapist will provide exercises that the client can do or will have the client
practice stretches or even ice a certain area of the body
Summary
● Physical therapist play an important role in assisting
individuals with disabilities or injuries
● They help individuals by improving their gross
motor skills through exercises and training
● Physical therapist can collaborate with special
education teachers, and other professionals to
assist students with disabilities
● Great communication, compassion and time
management are important qualities to have to
become a high quality physical therapist