LAC 28:CI.1507. Physical Therapy

A. Definition. Physical Therapy includes the following services: 1. evaluating students with disabilities by performing and interpreting tests and measurements and/or clinical observations of neurophysiological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and sensorimotor functions; 2. planning and implementing treatment strategies for students based on evaluation findings; 3. improving, maintaining and/or slowing the rate of regression of the motor functions of a student to enable him/her to function in his educational environment; and 4. administering and supervising therapeutic management of students with disabilities, recommending equipment and providing training to parents and educational personnel. B. Criteria for Eligibility 1. Evidence of criteria listed in Subparagraphs a and b below must be met. a. The student is classified and eligible for a special education program. There is documented evidence that physical therapy is required to assist the student to access and participate in the education setting. b. The student demonstrates gross motor impairment in either the Developmental or Motor Function category. 2. Developmental. Students, excluding those with neurophysiological impairments, who demonstrate a limitation which affects the ability to benefit from the education program and demonstrate a gross motor delay. 3. Motor Function. According to clinical and/or behavioral observations—which may include but are not limited to available current medical information, medical history and/or progress reports from previous therapeutic intervention—the student exhibits neurophysiological, orthopedic, cardiovascular, respiratory, or sensorimotor limitation that affect his or her gross motor functional participation in the educational setting. 4. Functional participation and access may include but is not limited to positioning and access in the educational environment, campus mobility, playground access, physical education participation, self-help skills, assistive technology needs, and prevocational and transition needs. 5. In addition to PT assessment, current student information must indicate one of the following: a. an ability to improve motor functioning as it related to the educational setting with physical therapy intervention; b. an ability to maintain motor functioning with therapeutic intervention, but if the student maintains motor functioning without therapeutic intervention, PT would not be required in the educational setting; or c. an ability to slow the rate of regression of motor function with therapeutic intervention if the student has a progressive disorder. 6. The student must require the clinical expertise of a physical therapist to improve motor function, maintain motor function, or slow the rate of regression of motor function. C. Procedures for Evaluation 1. The assessment shall be conducted by a licensed physical therapist and shall include at a minimum the following procedures: a. a review of available medical and educational information, environmental concerns, anecdotal records and observation of motor skills that document the specific concerns causing the referral: b. an assessment of gross motor abilities: i. for students’ ages 6-21, the assessment should be conducted in the educational environment. 2. The physical therapy assessment shall be designed to answer the following questions. a. Does this problem interfere with the student's ability to access and participate his or her educational program? b. Is there a potential for change in the student's educational functioning if he/she receives therapeutic intervention? 3. The provision of services shall be determined at the IEP Team meeting using data and the input of the therapist and the results and recommendations of the therapy assessment including but not limited to the physical therapist bringing unique expertise without which the student will not achieve the IEP goals. The continuation of services will be determined at the annual IEP review using data and input from the therapist.