What is a Pediatric

PHYSICAL THERAPIST?

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Pediatric Physical Therapists (PT) promote movement, strength and endurance in order to help children reach their potential in performing physical activities. Physical therapists also help children develop the skills needed to function independently and maximize life satisfaction through improving their ability to actively participate with their surroundings and environment.

Listed below are some of the areas a pediatric physical therapist may aide in your child’s development.

Movement and mobility

Both movement and mobility are important in order for children to successfully interact with their environment. This includes crawling, walking, running, kicking, skipping and jumping.

Strengthening

Strengthening of the core and lower body is important in order for children to maintain proper posture and move safely.

Balance and coordination

Balance and coordination involves using both sides of the body together to perform a movement(s). Children with deceased coordination or balance may appear clumsy or have difficulty keeping up with their peers.

Posture, Positioning, and lifting

Posture, positioning, and lifting, are also known as body mechanics. Body mechanics are important to help promote proper movement patterns and reduce chances of injury.

Cardiopulmonary Endurance

Cardiopulmonary endurance is how efficiently the heart and lungs work together to supply the body with the energy needed to complete activities. Poor endurance can lead to decreased activity levels, shortness of breath, and affect many other areas of the body.

 

Developmental Activities

Developmental activities such as sitting, rolling, jumping and play skills are important milestones that help strengthen the muscles needed in preparation for walking and running.

Motor Planning

Motor planning is how the brain processes information and stimuli from various sensory systems to plan and carry out a motor movement. A child with decreased motor planning may have difficulty initiating an activity or producing coordinated movements when playing.

Equipment, Orthotics, and prosthetics

Equipment, orthotics, and prosthetics include walkers, wheelchairs, braces, artificial limbs, and other supports that help children be independent with daily activities. Physical therapists can play a vital role in assisting with choosing, obtaining and using the best supports possible.

Tone Management

Tone management involves the resting state of muscle contraction. Children with high muscle tone may seem more tight and right, whereas a child with low tone is often described as “floppy” or “flimsy.”

Safety, Health Promotion, and Prevention

Safety, health promotion, and prevention programs include education about appropriate backpack fit, weight management, and bike helmet usage, just to mention a few.

 

Your child may be in need of Pediatric Physical Therapy if they are experiencing any of the following:

  • Your baby prefers to turn their head only to one side

  • Your baby has trouble lifting their head

  • Trouble tolerating tummy time

  • Trouble crawling or walking

  • Trouble sitting or standing without support

  • They have trouble walking up and downstairs (after the age of 4)

  • They don’t like to run and play with their peers

  • Trouble walking and running without frequently tripping or falling

  • Trouble learning how to jump, skip, ride a bike or play sports

  • Trouble catching or throwing a ball

  • They have trouble sitting up straight while sitting on the floor, preferring instead to rest their head on their hands. Slumping or slouching at a desk is another clue.

 

Common Diagnosis for Pediatric Physical Therapists to Treat

  • Asperger Syndrome

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Brachial Plexus

  • Cerebral Palsy

  • Childhood Stroke

  • Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome

  • Delayed Milestones

  • Developmental Coordination Disorder

  • Developmental Delays

  • DiGeorges Syndrome

  • Doose Syndrome

  • Down Syndrome

  • Dravet Syndrome

  • Epilepsy

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

  • Foot Deformities

  • Gait Abnormalitie

  • Generalized Weakness

  • Genetic/Chromosomal Disorders

  • Global Developmental Delays

  • Gross Motor Delays

  • Hemiparesis

  • High Muscle Tone

  • Low Muscle Tone

  • Lower Extremity Deformities

  • Mitochondrial Disorder

  • Muscular Dystrophy

  • Neurofibromatosis Type 1

  • Orthopedic Needs

  • Orthotic Needs

  • Pectus Excavatum

  • Plagiocephaly

  • Post-Surgical Needs

  • Prader-Willi Syndrome

  • Prematurity

  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder

  • Prosthetics

  • Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome

  • Schizencephaly

  • Seizure Disorders

  • Spina Bifida

  • Spinal Cord Injury

  • Static Encephalopathy

  • Stroke/Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

  • Torticollis

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

  • Vestibular Problems

  • Williams Syndrome

  • Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome

 
 
 

In-home and telehealth Pediatric Physical Therapists serving Northern Colorado.