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Physical Therapy Services

We provide physical therapy evaluations and treatment for children with a variety of special needs, including but not limited to:

history of prematurity

developmental delay

cerebral palsy, including spastic quadriplegia, spastic diplegia, and hemiplegia

seizure disorder

spina bifida

torticollis

genetic conditions, i.e., Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and club foot deformities

Evaluation

Evaluation is the first step in physical therapy. Evaluation allows us to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your child's abilities and needs. During the first visit, we will:

obtain a history of all relevant information from the client and caregivers

discuss client and caregiver concerns and what they would like to accomplish

observe and analyze the way the child moves and interacts with his/her environment and all members of the household

evaluate gross motor skills, such as the ability to hold head up, roll, sit up, crawl and walk

assess neuromuscular status and range of motion (ROM)/flexibility

make appropriate referrals if other treatment interventions for spasticity are recommended, i.e., botox injections and oral baclofen

identify potential posture and alignment concerns and provide positioning guidance to help prevent future problems

identify adaptive equipment needs, i.e., positioning chair, standing frame, gait trainer, walker, manual or power wheelchair, and if appropriate, together with a certified rehabilitation technology specialist, order the equipment

identify lower extremity orthopedic concerns that may warrant orthotics and make appropriate recommendations and/or referrals to an orthopedist and/or a certified prosthetist and orthotist

screen fine motor skills, activities of daily living and language abilities and make appropriate referrals to an occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist

provide client and caregivers a physical demonstration and written instructions for a home exercise program

Treatment

Once we complete the evaluation, we will develop a treatment plan that builds on the client's strengths and abilities in order to achieve quality outcomes. Depending on the child's needs, that plan may call for, but is not limited to the following:

building rapport with the child and utilizing play to encourage cooperation and participation, making therapy more effective

elongation techniques/stretching exercises to improve ROM and flexibility, and to help prevent contractures

handling techniques to facilitate desired movements that enhance achievement of motor milestones and improves independence

positioning techniques and facilitation of transitioning/transferring from one position to another and from one surface to another

gait training to progress toward walking or to improve the quality and safety of the child's ambulation

balance and coordination activities to improve functional abilities and to decrease falls and injuries

therapeutic exercises including stabilization activities and strength and endurance training

techniques to help alleviate pain if present

suggestions to make it easier for the child to participate in desired school or recreational activities

monitoring of current and/or assessment of the developing need for orthotics and adaptive equipment

continued assessment of the need for referrals to other healthcare providers

periodic updates to the home exercise program

monitoring of the child's progress and modification of the treatment plan as necessary

For more information, please contact us. We look forward to talking with you.