For many kids, getting through the school day is only as challenging as the educational material.  But for some with special needs, simply navigating to and through the classroom is a challenge in and of itself.  Available to help them are health care professionals such as physical therapists.

In this episode, physical therapist Marcie Kaminker, PT, DPT, MS, PCS, discusses  her role working in schools and treating children with disabilities related to conditions such as muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, and multiple sclerosis, among others. She also addresses how her goal isn't simply to improve a child's strength or range of motion but to enhance their function according to the specific needs of their school setting.

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Read more about conditions that affect children and pediatric physical therapy.

Marcie Kaminker, PT, DPT, MS, PCS, serves as chair of the American Physical Therapy Association's School-Based Physical Therapy Special Interest Group of the Section on Pediatrics. Since 1976, she has worked as a physical therapist in a variety of hospital-based and school-based settings. She is in her 20th year as the physical therapist in the South Brunswick School District in New Jersey, where she provides services for students with disabilities from 3 to 21 years of age. She has also  authored and co-authored several journal articles and textbook chapters on the topic of school-based physical therapy.