Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a health profession with the goal to help persons who have any sort of movement problems resulting from an illness, disease or disability.

Goal-centered therapy helps a child progress through pre-walking stages.

With children, the goal is to promote postural control necessary to perform motor skills appropriately to the child’s development.

A physician might prescribe physical therapy for an infant who is not reaching basic development milestones such as rolling, sitting or walking.

Assistance is also provided when the need arises for adaptive equipment such as braces, walkers and wheelchairs.

Who says therapy isn't fun?

Programming available to children includes:

• Strength training
• Stretching exercises
• Balance and coordination activities
• Gait training

Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) – a model for therapeutic management and treatment of children with developmental disabilities, especially Cerebral Palsy. It addresses problems children may have with posture and movement. Observation and analysis help determine what hands-on therapy will minimize impairments and prevent secondary disabilities.

Assistive technology assessments – determine what equipment might best help a child

Standardized evaluation instruments used include:

• Peabody Developmental Motor Scales – 2nd edition
• Gross Motor Function Measure
• Test of Infant Motor Performance

With licensed therapists in three disciplines (occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy), the Children’s Therapy Center can provide play-based assessments in all three areas at one time.