La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CI-1507

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section 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 benefit from special education.

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 gross motor delay are as follows:

a. students with disabilities ages 3 years 0 months-5 years 6 months. Students who demonstrate a gross motor delay of 6 months or more below level of functional abilities as measured by an appropriate assessment instrument. Functional abilities are defined as the student's overall educational performance in the areas of cognition, communication, social, self help, and fine motor.

b. Students with disabilities ages 5 years 7 months-9 years 11 months. Students who demonstrate a gross motor delay of 12 months or more below level of functional abilities as measured by an appropriate assessment instrument. Functional abilities are defined as the student's overall educational performance in the areas of cognition, communication, social, self help, and fine motor.

c. Students with disabilities ages 10 years 0 months-21 years. Students who demonstrate a gross motor delay of 18 months or more below level of functional abilities as measured by an appropriate assessment instrument. Functional abilities are defined as the student's overall educational performance in the areas of cognition, communication, social, self help, and fine motor.

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 functioning in the educational setting.

a. In addition to PT assessment, current student information must indicate one of the following:

i. an ability to improve motor functioning with physical therapy intervention;

ii. an ability to maintain motor functioning with therapeutic intervention (if the student maintains motor functioning without therapeutic intervention, PT would not be required in the educational setting);

iii. an ability to slow the rate of regression of motor function with therapeutic intervention (if the student has a progressive disorder).

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 benefit from 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 the input of the therapist and the results and recommendations of the therapy assessment. The continuation of services will be determined at the annual IEP review using input from the therapist.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CI-1507

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 35:921 (May 2009), effective July 1, 2009.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:1941 et seq.