Taking the High Road: An Evidence-Informed Approach to Standing Tall in Students with Amputations

The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) are federal laws, with state education agency oversight, that support the provision of public education for all children, regardless of the presence, nature, or severity of a disability and promote participation to help live their lives to the fullest.

The evidence-based management of children with unilateral or bilateral lower extremity amputations requires a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating comprehensive management in the areas of the integumentary system, postural control, mobility training, equipment, physical activity, and psychosocial support to enhance the individual’s ability to participate in life physically, mentally, and socially. In this session, a framework for shared decision making to improve physical therapy outcomes will be introduced as part of the development of a comprehensive individualized educational plan (IEP) which reflects the uniqueness of this population. The selection of evaluative measures will be reviewed to include data collection, team collaboration, and developing the plan of care. Paired with real-life anecdotal case stories, the evidence-informed strategies and supports will provide sound clinical reasoning for this group of children. The lived experience of a family member will further illustrate what the ingredients can look like from the perspective of a caregiver. Opportunities will be provided for interaction and discussion to encourage participants to reflect on how they might integrate the information and evidence-informed clinical recommendations in their own practice.