Education Center Topics School-Based Practice School-Based Therapy

Education Center

School-Based Therapy

Topics

A young woman uses the steering bar on the Rifton Pacer gait trainer to guide the walking of a young boy.
Article
Mobility and Fitness Interventions for Children and Adults with Medical Complexity
Children with medical complexity benefit from use of supportive walkers and gait trainers...
A girl rides on a red Rifton Adaptive Tricycle.
Article
Adaptive Tricycles in Schools
For a child with a disability such as cerebral palsy, the primary goal for the school-based therapist is to improve access to education.
A child with autism sits in a Rifton compass chair to participate in music class.
Article
Focusing on Participation for Children with Autism
When I first graduated in 1984 and worked with children in the schools, physical therapists typically did not work with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
A boy riding on a Rifton Adaptive Tricycle
Article
Promoting Fitness, Function and Physical Activity in School-Based Physical Therapy
School-based physical therapists can promote student wellness and health through strategies to improve fitness, function and physical activity.
A girl standing in a Rifton Supine Stander, looking at a card with her caretaker
Article
The “How” of Ecological Assessment
According to Dr. Bronfenbrenner, ecological assessment involves stakeholders to identify student performance challenges and assist in their analysis.
A boy sitting on a Rifton Compass Chair playing, with his caretaker sitting next to him
Article
The “What” of Ecological Assessment
Ecological assessment is a comprehensive process of assessment in which data on student performance is collected through observation across different environments and/or settings. It is a collaborative process that involves relevant…
A boy in a Rifton Pacer looks at a communication device with his therapist.
Article
The “Why” of Ecological Assessment
In 2004, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized with language supporting participation in the natural environment. This has challenged school-based practitioners to use the natural environment as a basis…
A boy sitting in the Rifton HTS with a caretaker by his side
Article
Part 3: The Application of GAS to the IEP Process
Best practice in educational goal writing is for a goal to be discipline-free and reflective of meaningful outcomes, not only for the current IEP cycle but looking forward. Given the one variable requirement of GAS, how does this process…
A girl sitting on a Rifton Adaptive Tricycle with a caretaker holding the front guide bar
Article
Part 2: What Is Goal Attainment Scaling?
Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is a client-centric, criterion referenced measure of progress, responsive to minimally significant changes in a specific outcome, whether it be an individual goal or a functional goal.
A boy sitting on a Rifton Compass Chair and looking at a book
Article
Part 1: Why Goal Attainment Scaling?
In March 2017, the Supreme Court ruled on the case of Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District. Endrew F. was a student with autism who for years had made only minimal educational gains under the IEP developed by his school, causing his…
young woman working on a laptop, frowning
Article
Tips for Writing a Letter of Educational Necessity
When you need to justify adaptive equipment acquisition in a school-based setting, by accessing funding sources administered by special education decision-makers, you may find the following resources useful...
young man using a Rifton TRAM with a caretaker
Article
P-PAS, Adaptive Equipment and You
The Posture and Postural Ability Scale or P-PAS is a tool that can be used to assess posture, postural ability and the quality of posture in prone, supine, sitting and standing positions. Posture, in this context, refers to the anatomical…
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