Physical Therapy

Physical therapists at The Education Center at The Watson Institute support the development of gross motor skills including mobility, strengthening, balance and equilibrium; positioning and equipment needs.  Physical therapists work to provide purposeful activities that motivate the student to be successful with the skills needed in the educational environment.  Their expertise assists the guiding of educational decisions, goals and strategies related to these areas.

As part of the educational team, physical therapists gather information through observation, initial evaluation and ongoing assessments to assist with the development of goals and strategies to promote independence across the educational environment.  The areas assessed include but are not limited to:

• Gross motor skills
• Mobility including gait training/ambulation, wheelchair mobility and functional transfers
• Strength
• Positioning and equipment needs

Services are provided in both a push in (in the classroom or special) and pull out (therapy room) dependent on the student's needs at that time.  Appropriate handling and positioning techniques for the classroom staff and parents are provided to enhance the student's independence.  The therapists work together with the team to make recommendations on equipment needs for both home and school.  Various treatment strategies are utilized during physical therapy sessions.  These include, but are not limited to: neuro-developmental techniques, manual techniques, biomechanical strategies and a functional approach.

Physical therapists are licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.