Sky Lakes Pediatric Therapy
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Physical therapists (PT) are experts in movement and mobility, gross motor development, body function and strength, and promoting engagement in play and activity throughout the lifespan. Our PTs make use of fun and individualized exercises to improve your child’s range of motion, strength, and coordination to support success in play, school, sports, and other areas. The goal is to make use of a child’s own strengths and movement to maximize their independence and quality of life.
We provide assess and treatment for the following:
Developmental delay
Developmental delay refers to a delay in expected skills based on a child’s age, they may be ameliorated with intervention but can be present throughout the a person’s lifespan. There may be impact to a child’s physical abilities, learning, or behaviors, and may also affect daily routines, play, school performance, and home activities.
Developmental conditions can include:
- Cerebral palsy.
- Spina bifida.
- Spinal muscular atrophy.
- Intellectual disability.
- Autism spectrum disorder.
- Down Syndrome.
- Sensory processing difficulties.
- Or any condition impacting achievement of age-appropriate developmental milestones.
How physical therapy can help:
Your PT will complete an interview and assessment with your child and you to find areas where your child could benefit from treatment. Intervention can include improving range of motion, strengthening, conditioning, and coordination activities. PTs make use of play activity and functional movement to promote skill obtainment in an age-appropriate progression.
Gross motor delay & gait abnormalities
Gross motor skills refers to whole-body movements, or movements involving the larger muscles of our torso, legs, and arms. This can include rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, running, jumping, and skipping, as well as riding a bike and ball skills.
Gait refers to a person’s pattern of walking, this includes balance and coordination.
Gross motor delay and gait abnormalities may include:
- Toe walking
- Flat foot/pes planus
- In-toeing/out-toeing
- Delays in mobility milestones
- Developmental conditions impacting gait (ex. hemiplegia, ataxia, Down Syndrome, Spinal muscular atrophy, etc.)
- Low tone/hypotonia and high tone/hypertonia
- Back pain
- Any other condition impacting gross motor skills and gait
How physical therapy can help:
Your PT will complete an interview and assessment with your child and you to find areas where your child could benefit from treatment. Intervention can include improving range of motion, strengthening, coordination, and tone management techniques. Your PT is also able to work with you to determine the need for orthotics (such as AFOs), or other bracing or assistive devices.
Torticollis, plagiocephaly, and brachycephaly
Torticollis is described as twisting of the neck, and may present as your infant tilting their head to one side, preferring to turn head in only one direction, having troubles being breastfed on one side, and/or a flattening of the head on one side.
Plagiocephaly may also be described as flat head syndrome, and can result from torticollis, your infant spending too much time on their back or in one position. Plagiocephaly can contribute to facial asymmetries, and further difficulties with head control and rolling.
Brachycephaly is a flattening of an infant’s head on the back of the head. An infant spending a lot of time on their back, or in a car seat can contribute.
How physical therapy can help:
Your PT will work with you to measure your infant’s movement and head shape to ensure your child is moving within an expected range, proactively prevent further loss of movement and asymmetry in head shape. PT then works on creating individualized exercises you are able to complete at home to assist your infant in gaining head control and motion. Your PT is able to assist you with set up of a head shaping helmet and other positioning supports if needed.
Orthopedic and post-surgical
Orthopedic injuries can include sprains, strains, or fractures of the musculoskeletal system.
Common orthopedic or post-surgical conditions PT may address:
- Post-op ankle surgery
- ACL injury
- Shoulder injury
- Strain, sprain or other fracture impacting daily activities and participation in desired environments
How physical therapy can help:
Your PT will complete a thorough assessment of your child’s movements, strength, and coordination to create and individualized exercise program to support your child’s return to activity. Intervention can include pain management strategies, improving range of motion, strengthening, and equipment training to ensure your child’s maximal independence and safety in daily activity.
Mobility equipment and specialized seating
Children have a variety of activities and environments they participate in for play, self-care, and learning. Children may experience difficulties in participating in these areas without adequate and appropriate support to ensure their safety and optimal position to engage within their environment. Physical therapy is able to assist with assessing the need for positioning and mobility equipment to support your child in their play and life goals.
Who might benefit from use of mobility equipment or specialized positioning devices:
- Musculoskeletal conditions (such as spinal muscular atrophy, orthopedic injury, hypotonia, scoliosis, etc.).
- Neuromuscular conditions (such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, spina bifida etc.).
- Any condition creating strain, stress, or difficulties with transport, mobility, sitting, or environmental engagement.
How physical therapy can help:
Your PT will complete a thorough assessment of your child’s movements, strength, and coordination to determine if your child would benefit from equipment. Equipment may include a stander, adaptive stroller, pediatric wheelchair, supportive seating device, activity chair, positioning supports in sitting or lay, and other equipment.