Special Education Services
       Plano Independent School District

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy means services provided by a licensed physical therapist. In the educational setting, Physical Therapy is a related service.  Related services are support services for special education and are not instructional services.  They are those services necessary for the student to make progress toward the identified instructional goals.  Related services may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, music therapy, assistive technology, counseling, diagnostic medical services, and transportation.  There are many “related services” that might benefit a child with a disability, just as there are many services that might benefit a child who does not have a disability.  However, the law does not require that such services be provided.  Rather, the legal duty to provide a related service arises only when without the service the student’s educational program would become less than appropriate. “In the educational setting, a physical therapist conducts an appropriate assessment to determine services to fulfill educational needs.”  (TBPTE) If it is determined by assessment that the student requires additional support from physical therapy in order to benefit educationally, the physical therapist will make recommendations to help the staff reach the educational goals, possibly recommend goals and objectives and amount of therapy time.

Plano ISD has three Physical Therapists to serve the needs of students in the district.  Based on the educational needs of the student, Physical Therapy services may be used to work directly with the student, in consultation with the family or teaching staff or to assist in making program modifications and supports for school personnel that will be provided for the student including equipment modifications and specific training to the staff. 
IDEA 300-321

PT Eligibility / PT Equipment / Note to Parents