Pediatric physical therapists evaluate and treat children from birth to 18 who have problems moving and performing gross motor activities secondary to a disability, complex conditions, and/or common injury. For younger children, this may include holding one’s head upright, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, or walking. As a child gets older, physical therapy will work on higher-level activities like climbing stairs, kicking, throwing, catching, running, jumping, or hopping. To address these skills, physical therapy will work on strengthening, balance training, or coordination tasks to maximize their independence and mobility. Your therapist may also collaborate with other specialists and recommend adaptive and mobility equipment, such as braces, wheelchairs, walkers, or standers.

Every child responds best to a unique, carefully crafted treatment plan, which the therapist creates. Our physical therapist also teaches children and their families about safety and home exercises, since improving physical function often requires daily practice. Providing expert consultation to school and daycare is often the therapist's responsibility as well. These professionals support the family and child by coordinating care with other health care professionals and providing advocacy and social assistance when necessary.

Therapy OPS physical therapists often work with the following diagnoses:

• Cerebral Palsy

• Down Syndrome

• Spina Bifida

• Muscular Dystrophy

• Stroke

• Hydrocephalus

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Spinal Cord Injury

• Scoliosis

• Coordination and balance disorders

• Torticollis/ Plagiocephaly

• Gait Abnormalities

• Musculoskeletal injuries including: fractures, soft tissue, and sports related injuries

• Post-surgical rehabilitation

• Muscular weakness

• Muscular tightness

• Abnormally low or high muscle tone

• Developmental Delay

• Genetic Syndromes

• Toe Walking

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

Treatment Options include

• Therapeutic exercise/strengthening

• Caregiver/patient education

• Functional mobility training

• Neuromuscular re-education

• Gait training

• Manual therapy techniques

• Stretching/manual range of motion exercises

• Proprioception/balance training