Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapy is provided for infants and children up to age 5 in order to assess and treat motor and functional limitations caused by neurological or orthopedic impairments. Physical Therapists may work on skills including muscle control and coordination, lengthening tight muscles, range of motion, strength and endurance, gait and mobility, balance, and coordination. During therapy sessions, our therapists teach and assist your child in exercises and activities that can strengthen and stretch muscles and teach different or more functional ways of getting around.

A child may be delayed in reaching major gross motor milestones. In general, these milestones for infants and children up to age 5 are as follows:

• 6 months – ability to roll over
• 6 to 12 months - crawl and/or pull to stand
• 12 to 18 months - ability to walk
• 18 to 24 months - kick a ball
• 24 to 36 months - ride a tricycle
• 36 to 48 months – ability to hop

• Have “tummy time” everyday
• Practice sitting up (with support) while playing with toys
• Use push objects to practice walking skills
• Play ball to encourage kicking, catching and throwing skills
• Practice standing on one leg, jumping, running and climbing