Each year, over 400,000 babies born in the United States are at risk for motor delays. A pediatric physical therapist can evaluate an infant or toddler by assessing how they move and determine if there are concerns that might need either monitoring or direct treatment. Regardless of the diagnosis, or symptoms, experts agree that physical therapy can improve the functional and cognitive abilities of young children with motor delays.
Who should benefit:
- Infants born prematurely
- Infants born with a known genetic condition or syndrome
- Infants with low muscle tone (hypotonicity)
- Infants with high muscle tone (hypertonicity)
- Infants with mixed or fluctuating muscle tone (high tone in one body area and low tone in another)
- Infants with orthopedic problems such as club feet, hip dislocation, bowed legs or feet that turn in or out
- Infants with extraneous, uncoordinated movements (athetosis, chorea, dystonia)
- Infants with torticollis or suspected torticollis
- Infants who are not meeting expected motor milestones
- Infants/toddlers who seem disconnected or who are difficult to interact with
- Infants or toddlers with sensory integration issues
- Infants/toddlers who move one side of their body better than the other
- Infants/toddlers whose parents feel “something just isn’t right” because maybe it is true. Most parents are very intuitive and are the first to sense a problem that could be helped through early intervention.
How can we help?
- We offer parent education about a child’s diagnosis: explanation given in a non medical terms that can help a parent understand why their baby moves as he does.
- We offer parent education and support: learn how to play with your baby or toddler in ways that are also therapeutic for him
- We offer direct physical therapy by a pediatric specialist: direct handling, positioning and strengthening done in a way that is non- threatening and effective in meeting goals
- We develop home programs that empower parents to help their child: individualized and modified so as to be part of you and your baby’s daily routine
- We offer recommendations about adaptive equipment and will write letter of medical necessity for insurance company
- We will assist in referral to an orthotist if therapist and physician determine this would be helpful for you r child.
- We will collaborate and co treat with other disciplines in our clinic if this would be helpful for your child.
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