School-Based Work Capacity Evaluation in Young People With Intellectual Disabilities: 2 Case Reports.

PURPOSE: These case reports examine the application of a work capacity/work-hardening model to increase work capacity in young people with disabilities.

KEY POINTS: Examination, evaluation, interventions, and outcomes are described for 2 teenagers with intellectual disability. This approach is novel in that it uses functional capacity evaluation concepts used in ergonomic/occupational health contexts and applies them to youth with disabilities in educational settings.

CONCLUSION: These concepts expand the scope of practice for physical therapists in school settings and potentially increase work opportunities for youth with disabilities.