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Miscellaneous
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NEW! How can PTs help with emergency management for students with disabilities?
Effective emergency management planning for students with disabilities at school requires careful planning and collaboration. There is no “one size fits all” approach as students with disabilities have individualized support needs. Campus PTs and PTAs play pivotal roles in planning for safe emergency management by assessing specific needs, creating customized emergency response strategies, and collaborating closely with other stakeholders to ensure comprehensive safety and well-being for all students.
In March of 2024, the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy released a guide entitled “Fact Sheet: School Emergency Management Planning for Students with Disabilities,” providing helpful guidance in navigating emergency situations. This Fact Sheet acknowledges that PTs and PTAs are essential campus team members with important roles to play.
These roles involve:
- Identifying and planning for students' unique needs during an emergency.
- Collaborating to provide expertise in a student’s functional performance and physical abilities.
- Recognizing environmental factors that could either facilitate or hinder evacuation.
- Guiding the selection of specialized equipment to aid in the evacuation process.
- Practicing and training with staff and student.
PTs and PTAs must be sure to adhere to licensure rules when carrying out these activities. Be sure you understand which activities require an evaluation and physician referral. In Texas, the Rules for PTs and PTAs practicing in the educational setting can be found here: (§346.1. Educational Settings. Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners RULES May 2024).
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What are the steps to become an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physical Therapist (PT) in public schools?
Becoming an OT or PT will equip you to practice in many different types of settings, not just public schools.Regarding entry into Occupational Therapy:Entry level into occupational therapy programs is at both master’s degree and doctoral levels. The profession is interested in therapists prepared at the doctoral level as there is need for faculty and researchers prepared at that level. However, that is not necessary if your goal is to be a practitioner. The length of Master’s degree programs is typically two years for those having a baccalaureate degree. Doctoral programs are usually four years long following a baccalaureate. There may be prerequisite courses required that must be completed before entry into the Master’s or Doctoral program.There are many university programs that offer occupational therapy preparation. The web address below will take you to a page at the American Occupational Therapy Association’s website that provides links to lists of schools for Occupational Therapist (master’s and doctoral level programs) and for Occupational Therapy Assistant.For entry into Physical Therapy:Physical therapist entry level education programs in the United States now only offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT). The length of most DPT programs is 3 years with the majority of programs requiring applicants to have earned a bachelor’s degree prior to admission. There are other programs that offer a 3 + 3 format in which 3 years of specific pre-PT undergraduate courses must be completed before the student advances into the 3-year professional DPT program. You can find more information about educational programs for physical therapy at the following website:You might also consider becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). OTAs can work in the school setting under supervision of an OT. PTAs work under the supervision of a PT. Educational programs for OTAs and PTAs are typically at the 2-year Associate Degree level.Whichever route you decide to take, if you think that your ultimate destination is to work in the public schools, it would benefit you to take some of your student fieldwork (the practicum portion of the educational program) in a public school system.
