Moses Field Center Physical Therapist, D. Shell designs and performs gross motor therapeutic evaluations and interventions, including prevention strategies and adaptations, focusing on functional mobility and safe, efficient access and participation in educational activities and routines in natural learning environments.

Specific roles and responsibilities include:

• Participating in the IEP process, including collaboratively determining the need for physical therapy as a related service
• Gathering appropriate information from students, parents, and other team members regarding the child’s functional gross motor performance in school settings.
• Selecting, administering, and interpreting a variety of screening instruments and standardized measurement tools.
• Collaboratively with students’ IEP teams, examining and evaluating eligible students’ strengths and needs to establish their ability to participate in meaningful school activities and routines with or without assistance.
• Measuring and documenting student progress resulting from designed physical therapy interventions.
• Teaching and training family members and educating personnel to help the student achieve his or her IEP goals.
• Selecting, modifying, or customizing adaptive equipment and assistive technology.
• Forming partnerships and working with other team members in the school setting to promote an effective physical therapy plan of care.
• Coordinating physical therapy interventions within the student’s educational program.
• Supporting the safe transportation of students.
• Serving as a liaison between school, medical personnel, and medical equipment vendors, Physical Therapists are integral members of the school-based teams that ensure a free and appropriate education for students with disabilities and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.

Students in Physical Therapy programs at local universities come to Moses Field annually for training by our school therapist, Dionne Shell, during their clinical affiliations.  This helps them gain experience and preparation for their roles as future physical therapists.