What are the ABCs of Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapists work with your children and their families to assist each child in reaching their maximum potential to function independently and to promote active participation in home, school, and community environments.

Physical therapists have expertise in movement, motor development, and body function (eg, strength and endurance). They apply clinical reasoning during examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention for children, youth, and young adults. As primary health care providers, PTs also promote health and wellness as they implement a wide variety of supports in collaboration with families, communities, and other medical, educational, developmental, and rehabilitation specialists.

What is Pediatric Physical Therapy and what Role Does the Family Play?

Parents and families have the primary role in their child’s development. The pediatric PT collaborates with the family to promote development and implement an individualized intervention program. Families are supported through the coordination of services, advocacy, and assistance to enhance the development of their children.

This can include:

• Positioning during daily routines and activities

• Adapting toys for play

• Expanding mobility options

• Using equipment effectively

• Facilitating safety for the home and community

• Accessing community programs and resources

• Providing information on the child’s physical and health care needs

• Supporting family caregiving

• Smoothing transitions from early childhood to school and into adult life.

The process of supporting children and families begins with an evaluation, or conversation, to identify the child’s needs and family’s concerns and continues with an examination of the child in the context of their daily routines and activities. This examination may include, but not be limited to, mobility, sensory and neuromotor development, use of assistive technology, muscle, and joint function, strength and endurance, cardiopulmonary status, posture and balance, and oral motor skills. The process of providing pediatric physical therapy continues with collaboration, consultation, and intervention. Physical therapist assistants may be involved with the delivery of physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed PT.

Pediatric physical therapy may be provided in natural learning environments. Children and families may contact a pediatric PT in a clinic when receiving physical therapy for medically-related conditions, specialty health care services, or during episodes of acute care.

Pediatric physical therapists use evidence-informed practice to provide any of the following services as part of their goal-directed plan of care:

Developmental activities, Movement, and mobility Strengthening, Motor learning, Balance and coordination, Recreation, play, and leisure, Daily care activities and routines, Equipment design, fabrication, and fitting, and more.