In 2006, the Connecticut General Assembly dropped the requirement that physical therapists required a medical referral before providing physical therapy. This change in the law was not widely publicized in the school setting and therefore many physical therapists are still requiring a physician to approve the physical therapy services recommended in an IEP. Although there are some exceptions in the statute, most physical therapists working in schools can provide the IEP services without first seeking review and approval from a physician. The text of Conn. Gen.. Stat. Section 20-73(b)(1) can be found here. Physical therapists may still want to require review by a licensed physician of proposed physical therapy to be provided in school if a child is medically fragile, has recently had surgery or there is any other health reason to seek such review.
