Pediatric Physical Therapy

What is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

• Develops gross motor skills for atypically developing children

• Milestones that typical children demonstrate such as

• Rolling

• Sitting

• Standing

• Walking

• Jumping

• Running

• Builds independent functional mobility for atypical children.

• Skills that allow typical children to move through their environment to function at home, school, and the community

• Lying down to sitting up

• Pulling to standing

• Squatting

• Walking

• Climbing stairs

• Getting into the car, bed, or bath tub

• Stepping over or around obstacles
  

• Fulfills equipment needs for atypically developing children

• Allows these children to move through their environment just like their peers

• Walker

• Wheelchair

• Forearm crutches

• Car seats or strollers
  

• Provides orthotics (braces) to assist in positioning and support

• May allow atypical children to move more efficiently
  

• Neck supports to help develop head control

• Back braces to support the spine and decrease curvatures, called scoliosis

• Lower extremity bracing to control posture during movement of the feet, knees, and hips

• Education of the family, friends, and caregivers of the atypically developing child

• Physical therapy can only work as a support system for those who care about the child. Physical therapy will provide the family with
  

• Support and understanding

• Networking with other families, doctors, services, etc.

• Education about your child’s diagnosis

• Home exercise program so you can do therapy with your child

• Information about the proper use of equipment and bracing

• Comprehensive care that integrates all aspects of your child’s life including

• Home

• School

• Daycare

• Therapies

• Medical appointments, testing

• Counseling

• Community organizations