School-based pediatric therapists are experiencing pressures in our schools like never before—managing larger caseloads, addressing increasingly complex student needs, and meeting growing documentation requirements. These demands leave many providers struggling with the effects of understaffing, longer work hours, diminished student outcomes, and concerns about the future of care.
The Kelly Pediatric Therapy School-Based Therapy Survey shares insights collected from 255 school-based pediatric therapists across the United States regarding the current challenges of providing services in our schools. Explore these findings to help districts, staffing partners, and policy leaders shape the future of school-based pediatric therapy.
Key survey results.
Insights drawn from 255 licensed therapists throughout the country indicate where federally mandated services embedded within classroom instruction systems is creating pressure that districts often can't see from the outside.
71%
%
report caseload growth in the past two years.
64
%
say student needs have grown more complex, citing the rise in mental health/anxiety-related needs.
57
%