Physical Therapist Assistant

Children who struggle with a physical injury or disability often find they need extra help, and pediatric physical therapist assistants (PTAs) may be the ones to provide this help. A physical therapist assistant works under the guidance of a physical therapist to help child become independent when they suffer from a disability or physical injury. The therapist doesn't take on tasks for the child, but works with the child to show him or her a way they can tackle the job on their own, so they can become more independent and do more for themselves. The therapist assistant works with the child, the supervising therapist, his or her parents and other adults in the child's life to develop an individualized treatment plan, one that meets the unique needs of the child. Often, this therapy takes place in a school setting, thus school therapists are becoming more common.

School Based Therapy

Children who have a disability or physical injury may find they cannot complete routine tasks expected of them throughout the school day. For some children, standing in line becomes a chore and others find they can't move through the school without assistance. A physical therapist evaluates the child to determine the needed services. Services offered may …show more content…
A multidisciplinary team comes together to make this determination, and this team includes the parents, program facilitators, school staff, the child and other service providers involved in the child's treatment. Information must be obtained concerning the child's ability to function in the current school environment and his or her physical development as it relates to their schooling. Once this team assesses the information, it becomes easier to determine which services are needed and will best be provided in a school setting. An Individual Education Program or IEP is then created for the child and other services are provided at no