Survey of Physical Therapy Practice in Educational Settings

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Abstract
This study was undertaken to gain current information on the practice of physical therapy in educational settings serving school-age children and adolescents with disabilities. Questionnaires were mailed to 259 pediatric physical therapists throughout the United States. Responses received from 155 therapists working in school systems were used to collect the data reported here. The final sample represented all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Respondents were asked their opinions concerning actual practices related to the delivery of therapy services to students in their schools and what they believe to be ideal practices in the following categories: evaluation, development of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), service delivery, team dynamics, and administrative support. Results of the survey show the majority of school-based therapists in this sample are women, between the ages of 31 to 50 years of age, with an average of 17 years experience in pediatrics, and 8 years working in school systems. Significant differences were found between respondents' statements of actual practice and their opinions of ideal practice. The results of this survey provide preliminary information for pediatric therapists to develop policy and guidelines for the delivery of services to students with disabilities

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