Physical Therapy

We specialize in pediatric physical therapy. We work with children from birth through young adulthood. Physical Therapist address Head and Trunk Control, Improve Standing and Walking, Improve Balance and Coordination, Improve Gross Motor Skills, Improve Motor Planning. Our physical therapist has experience working with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Muscular Dystrophy, Orthopedic Injuries, CVA, Spina Bifida, Tortocollis, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Our pediatric-trained physical therapist will provide comprehensive evaluations and develop care plans guided by a clinical approach and caregiver education.

Each therapist uses a variety of play techniques and home activities to address head and trunk control. Each child’s needs including bracing and equipment, assessment and therapy interventions are completed on an individual basis.

Indicators that your child would benefit from Physical Therapy

• Muscle Stiffness or Tightness
• Delay in Obtaining Motor Milestones
• Poor Balance
• Uncoordinated Movements
• Difficulty in Moving Through the Environment
• Abnormal Posture
• Toe Walking
• Muscle Weakness
• Pain
• Impairment due to a Neurological or Orthopedic Condition

Gross Motor Developmental Milestones

At Birth to 3 months, your child

• Lifts and turns her head when on her stomach
• Actively moves legs at hips and knees
• When on his back, will turn his head to hear or see something
• Movements become more purposeful
• Brings hands to mouth
• Grasp finger to object in hand
• Suck and root reflex for eating

At 3-6 months, you child

• Plays with his own hands and feet
• Watches or plays with hands or toys in the middle of their body
• Transfers toys from hand to hand
• When on her stomach, lifts head and chest with weight on hands
• Holds head upright and steady
• Rolls from stomach to back and begins to roll back to stomach

At 6-9 months, your child:

• Rolls either direction without difficulty
• Sit without help or assist
• Uses his index finger to poke
• Holds and plays with objects in either hand
• Pivots on stomach
• Kneels on hands and knees (quadruped position)

At 9-12 months, your child

• Drops and picks up a toy
• Manipulates toys with hands and fingers
• Uses both hands together to play
• Crawls, moving forward on hands and knees
• Pulls to stand
• Some children at this age will begin taking steps or even walk without help. If your child is not walking and you are concerned please call for a screen.

At 12-18 months, you child

• Walks alone
• Begins to walk sideways and backwards
• Comes to standing from floor without help
• Crawls up and down stairs

At 2-3 years, your child

• Walks well, runs
• Walks up stairs with one foot on each step,with one hand on rail
• Walks down stairs with both feet on step
• Jumps with two feet leaving the ground
• Kicks a ball
• Throws a ball underhand
• Begins learning to catch a ball

At 3-4 years, your child

• Can run around obstacles
• Can stand on one foot for 3-5 seconds
• Can walk on a line without stepping off
• Can hop on one foot
• Rides a tricycle
• Can jump forward, down, and over objects with feet together

At 4-5 years, your child

• Can stand on one foot for 10 seconds
• Hops forward on one foot for 5 hops
• Walks on a line backwards
• Gallops and skips forward
• Walks up and down stairs, one foot each step, without support from the wall/rail
• Catches a tennis size ball

At 5-6 years, your child

• Skips, maintaining balance and rhythm
• Jumps rope
• Walks on a balance beam
• Jumps sideways back and forth

Growth and development occurs differently for every child.  If you are concerned about your child’s development please speak with your pediatrician or call us at 563-441-3000 to schedule a FREE screen.