A child walking up therapy stairs next to her physical therapist.

What Kind of Physical Therapy Equipment Do You Have for Your Student Athletes?

Physical therapists within school districts often work with the athletic departments to assist students. One way they do this is to help the physical education teachers to have safe plans for injured athletes to get back into gym classes. They work with the medical information provided to them from the child's doctor to come up with ways that they may increase their physical activities. They must work carefully so that re-injury does not occur while the students are strengthening their bodies after time away.

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A mother helping her daughter ride her bicycle.

Just Like Riding a Bicycle: How Bikes Can Help OT and Other Therapy Needs

Kids want to be just like their peers. For many children, riding a bike is often a very difficult task and may seem daunting or impossible for them. Working on bike riding may be beneficial for not only occupational therapy, but other therapy needs as well.

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A patient explaining to her therapist.

School Counselors and Self-Injury

Times have changed in schools, and with that, so have topics that school counselors need to be comfortable talking about. More students are showing signs and symptoms related to self-injury. This means that professionals within schools have to know the facts behind them and how to reach out to students if they suspect self-injury or if it is reported.

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A boy and his therapy dog walking through a pop-up tunnel.

Benefits of Using a Therapy Dog for Special Education

The use of therapy dogs in schools is increasing throughout the country. Not only are districts and schools coordinating to add a therapy dog, there are programs in some communities that work with the schools to promote the use with special needs children. The benefits in some areas are opening eyes to more specific ways that therapy dogs can be beneficial for children in speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social skill building, and more.

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A group of students at a table playing with colorful building blocks.

Does Your School Have Enough Therapy Staff to Meet Your Students’ Particular Needs?

Schools across the United States have been shifting a lot of job responsibilities in recent years to therapy staff members. Some of this is due to budget cuts and new jobs not being created. At the same time, some of it is because of increased needs of the students within the schools. Schools are faced with more students that have special needs, are living in poverty, and have limited English language skills. These circumstances have caused the ratio of students-to-therapists to change dramatically.

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