Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Public Instruction › Chapter PI 11 - Children With Disabilities › Section PI 11.24 - Related service: physical and occupational therapy

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) LEGISLATIVE
			 INTENT. Subchapter V of ch. 115, Stats., gives an LEA the authority to
			 establish physical therapy and occupational therapy services.
(2) IEP TEAM. If a child is suspected to need
			 occupational therapy or physical therapy or both, the IEP team for that child
			 shall include an appropriate therapist.
(7) PHYSICAL THERAPISTS' LICENSURE AND
			 SERVICE REQUIREMENTS.
(a)
Licensure.
A school physical therapist shall be licensed by
			 the department under s. PI 34.093.
(b)
Caseload.
1. Except as specified under subds. 2. and
			 3., the caseload for a full-time school physical therapist employed for a full
			 day, 5 days a week, shall be as follows:
a. A
			 minimum of 15 children.
b. A
			 maximum of 30 children.
c. A
			 maximum of 45 children with one or more school physical therapist
			 assistants.
2. The
			 caseload for a part-time school physical therapist may be pro-rated based on
			 the specifications under subd. 1.
3. A caseload may vary from the
			 specifications under subd. 1. or 2., if approved in the LEA's plan under s.
			 115.77(4),
			 Stats. The following shall be considered in determining whether the variance
			 may be approved:
a. Frequency and duration of
			 physical therapy as specified in the child's IEP.
b. Travel time.
c. Number of evaluations.
d. Preparation time.
e. Student related activities.
(c)
Medical
			 information.
The school physical therapist shall have medical
			 information from a licensed physician regarding a child before the child
			 receives physical therapy.
(d)
Delegation and supervision of physical therapy.
1. The school physical therapist may delegate
			 to a school physical therapist assistant only those portions of a child's
			 physical therapy which are consistent with the school physical therapist
			 assistant's education, training and experience.
2. The school physical therapist shall
			 supervise the physical therapy provided by a school physical therapist
			 assistant. The school physical therapist shall develop a written policy and
			 procedure for written and oral communication to the physical therapist
			 assistant. The policy and procedure shall include a specific description of the
			 supervisory activities undertaken for the school physical therapist assistant
			 which shall include either of the following levels of supervision:
a. The school physical therapist shall have
			 daily, direct contact on the premises with the school physical therapist
			 assistant.
b. The school physical
			 therapist shall have direct, face-to-face contact with the school physical
			 therapist assistant at least once every 14 calendar days. Between direct
			 contacts, the physical therapist shall be available by telecommunication. The
			 school physical therapist providing general supervision under this subdivision
			 shall provide an on-site reevaluation of each child's physical therapy a
			 minimum of one time per calendar month or every tenth day of physical therapy,
			 whichever is sooner, and adjust the physical therapy as appropriate.
3. A full-time school physical
			 therapist may supervise no more than 2 full-time equivalent physical therapist
			 assistant positions which may include no more than 3 physical therapist
			 assistants.
4. Notwithstanding the
			 provisions under this paragraph, the act undertaken by a school physical
			 therapist assistant shall be considered the act of the supervising physical
			 therapist who has delegated the act.
(e)
Responsibility of school physical
			 therapist.
A school physical therapist under this subsection shall
			 conduct all physical therapy evaluations and reevaluations of a child,
			 participate in the development of the child's IEP, and develop physical therapy
			 treatment plans for the child. A school physical therapist may not be
			 represented by a school physical therapist assistant on an IEP team.