Toys that improve gross motor skills

The toddler years are the most important years when it comes to physical development. Huge milestones are constantly happening during this time. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disorders may have a slower development of basic skills. Gross motor skills are movements related to larger muscles in the body such as legs, arms, etc. Walking, running, jumping, …

How can physical therapy help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have a slower development of basic skills. The development of basic skills may occur in different areas. Each child’s development is unique and different from one another. Some individuals with ASD have developmental delays which may cause them to experience difficulty with gross motor coordination and physical development. Often, children may develop a …

What Does a PT Session Look Like?

There is a lot of variety that goes into a physical therapy session, especially depending on the client and what they are being treated for. During a session, the physical therapist will get to know about the client’s condition or injury that they are seeking treatment for. A typical layout of a physical therapy treatment session may look like the …

How Physical Therapy Can Support Behavioral Services

When a child is receiving behavioral services, they oftentimes would also benefit from physical therapy to support ABA goals. Physical therapy can help support ABA services through various ways. In addition to collaborating with therapists, a physical therapist can work on improving muscle strength and endurance, balance, and upper and lower extremity coordination. Areas Physical Therapy Addresses that Support Behavioral …

How Physical Therapy Can Support Speech Therapy

When a child is receiving speech therapy, they can sometimes also benefit from receiving physical therapy to support speech goals. Physical therapy can help support speech therapy through various ways. In addition to collaborating with therapists, a physical therapist can work on improving muscle strength and endurance, motor planning, and body awareness. Areas Physical Therapy Addresses that Support Speech  Muscle …

Similarities and differences between pediatric PT and OT

In the clinical pediatric environment, it is common for physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) to work closely together and to share clients. Additionally, physical and occupational therapy treatments can even overlap at times. So, how do these two professions differ?  Pediatric physical and occupational therapy are indeed unique and different therapeutic practices. Pediatric physical therapy treats the child’s …

How does physical therapy treat hypotonia?

Pediatric physical therapists help children with a variety of skills that contribute to movement and independence in daily life.  Some of the main goals of physical therapy might include:  Improving posture  Refining motor coordination Strengthening muscles Increasing motor control Improving muscle tone Preventing contractures Improving posture What is posture? Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while …

What Is Teletherapy?

Teletherapy is an effective way to deliver professional services from a distance. This platform allows a client and clinician to interact over a live video session. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this service delivery method became increasingly popular due to the quarantine orders in cities throughout the country.  What services does teletherapy provide? Teletherapy provides a wide range of services through …

What settings do pediatric physical therapists work in?

Pediatric therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics and private practices, schools, client homes, and via teletherapy. Hospitals Physical therapy may be a part of a child’s inpatient hospital stay. Pediatric physical therapy in the hospital setting can be for premature newborns, at-risk infants, infants with congenital heart disease, children hospitalized for acute illnesses, brain trauma, …

Gross Motor Milestones

Gross motor skills require the use of large muscle groups and are important for activities like sitting, crawling, standing, walking, and running. As your child grows, they continue improving their body awareness and control, reaction speed, balance, and strength. Children develop these skills at different rates, but it is expected that they meet these milestones around the ages listed below. …