Posted on 10/28/2019
School-based physical therapy involves dynamic collaboration with students, staff, and parents to ensure that every student can successfully navigate the school environment and effectively learn, socialize, and play. At FHSD, this includes assessing all areas where a student might interact during the school day to ensure that the student can be as independent as possible in their functional mobility. “In the school system, physical therapists use creative and functional interventions to help students access their educational environment,” said District PT Anne Miller. “For example, being able to use the playground, getting on and off the bus, participating in PE and navigating their school.”
Physical therapists may work on strengthening underlying skills (like strengthening core muscles or improving balance) or providing strategies and adaptations (walker, wheelchair, or adaptive seating) to improve function. “PTs look at an individual’s overall physical movements and work to improve those movements when they are impacting their ability to function in their daily routines,” said Miller. “We help people improve their overall function and quality of life through therapeutic intervention and activities. We look at balance, strength, endurance, coordination, and mobility.”
FHSD employs six physical therapists and one physical therapist assistant across the District. Join us in recognizing all of our physical therapists this month and thanking them for their work!