These two settings differ in how the need for physical therapy services is determined, and of course in the settings themselves. Outpatient clinics and hospitals are where most medical-based therapy takes place, while school-based therapy takes place in an educational environment. School-based PT is related to students’ educational needs rather than their therapeutic needs, giving them physical access to their education. 

Intervention methods also differ in school and medical settings. The student’s school curriculum, for example, helps school-based PTs assess and address the child’s functional needs, enabling them to participate in classroom activities. Not only do physical therapists in schools help modify the child’s environment to maximize participation and independence, but they also take on the role of educating the other teachers in their schools to enhance every child’s learning experience.