Foundations of School-Based Physical Therapy: Law, Practice, and Intervention

Lauren Castagna is a pediatric physical therapist with over 20 years of experience across school-based and clinical settings. After graduating from the clinical doctoral program at Columbia University, Lauren began her career in the New York City public school system, where she developed expertise in providing therapy services within educational environments and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.

Lauren subsequently spent 10 years at a Children’s Specialized Hospital, where she expanded her clinical skills in pediatric rehabilitation. She currently practices at The Lakeview School, a private school serving students ages 2–21 with special needs, where she focuses on delivering functional, student-centered interventions that support access to education.

Her professional interests include the integration of federal special education law with physical therapy practice, development of effective and meaningful IEPs, and implementation of service delivery models that promote student participation and independence, including both land based and aquatic therapy services.