What Should I Ask If My Child’s IEP Says PT Is Consult-Only?

A consult-only PT service is not automatically good or bad. The important question is whether the team can explain what consultation means, who receives the consultation, how often it happens, what problem it is addressing, and how anyone will know whether it is helping.

Caregivers often hear “consult” and worry that services have disappeared. Sometimes that worry is justified. Other times, consultation may be an appropriate way to help staff support the student throughout the school day.

The issue is clarity. If the IEP says PT is consult-only, you can ask the team to explain what the PT is consulting about, who receives the consultation, how this support shows up during the school day, and how the team will know whether it is working.