What is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

According to the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, ​Pediatric physical therapists work in collaboration with children and their families to provide services aimed at promoting a child's ability to function independently and participate actively in home, school, and community environments. Physical therapists use their expertise in movement and apply clinical reasoning through the process of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention. Pediatric physical therapy promotes independence, increases participation, facilitates motor development and function, improves strength and endurance, enhances learning opportunities, and eases challenges with daily care giving.

What does Pediatric Physical Therapy Look Like?

Treatment sessions should be as individualized as your child. As Physical Therapists, we evaluate movement patterns, strength, range of motion and use our understanding to create tailored interventions to best fit each child. Common elements included in Pediatric Physical Therapy include: 
• Developmental activities
• Movement and mobility
• Strengthening
• Motor learning
• Balance and coordination
• Recreation, play, and leisure
• Adaptation of daily care activities and routines
• Equipment design, fabrication, and fitting
• Tone management
• Use of assistive technology
• Posture, positioning, and lifting
• Orthotics and prosthetics
• Burn and wound care
• Cardiopulmonary endurance
​• Safety, health promotion, and prevention programs

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