When to See a Pediatric Physical/Occupational Therapist
Sometimes babies and children need PT/OT, too
Physical and occupational therapy isn’t just for adults or post-surgical procedures, there is so much more physical and occupational therapy has to offer. For example, physical and occupational therapy can also be for babies and children too! Pediatric therapy helps children to move more easily and confidently. As a result, it makes completing not only their daily activities easier but also yours too! We will help you know when to see a pediatric physical/occupational therapist.
If you notice your little one isn’t able to keep up with other kids their age or has difficulty with various movement-based activities, bringing them in to see a pediatric therapist could be the missing piece to get them back to the level of their peers or above. They will develop an individual plan of care for your child while also taking into consideration external factors such as the role a parent will need to partake in and assist the child with therapeutic activities at home.
What Does a Pediatric Physical/Occupational Therapist Do?
Here at Freedom Physical Therapy, we have a physical and occupational therapist who specializes in pediatric physical/occupational therapy – therapy for kiddos. We have a pediatric physical therapist at our Grafton location and a pediatric occupational therapist at our Fox Point location. As previously mentioned, our specialized pediatric therapists will develop a game plan tailored to your child’s needs and goals. Plus, your goals as a parent will be taken into account as well. A pediatric therapist will work on the child’s needs, whether that is one or more of the following: balance, fine motor skills, coordination, strength, dual motor tasks, and more. The services our specialized pediatric therapists provide range from orthopedic to neurologic, and developmental needs.
What to Expect from a Pediatric PT/OT Session
Pediatric therapy sessions will vary based on the child’s needs and where they are along in their therapy. However, in general, our therapists will formulate games and other activities that work on the child’s weakness(es) without them potentially realizing it. Treatment options can consist of any combination of the following: parent education, stretching, strengthening, manual therapy, home exercise programming, sport-specific rehab, and orthotics – as needed. The atmosphere of our clinics is friendly to help make children feel comfortable and at ease while we also offer a high level of expertise that prior parents have appreciated. Here at Freedom Physical Therapy, all our visits are on one and 45 minutes long.
Things Pediatric PT/OT Can Help With
The following are a few pediatric diagnoses and conditions our therapists can work on torticollis, gait abnormalities, and hypotonia. For a full list of pediatric diagnoses and conditions we treat at Freedom Physical Therapy locations (Grafton and Fox Point) Pediatric Services. If you have a gut feeling that your child may benefit from an individualized treatment plan, our pediatric therapists are here to help you and your child!
Schedule a Consult
If you are on the fence about pediatric therapy, whether you know nothing about it or have heard about it before. Feel free to schedule a consultation to gather more information to see if it would be a good fit for you and your child.