FAQ For Pediatric Physical Therapy

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To find answers to common questions about All 4 Therapy, such as insurance accepted, location, and availability, please visit our General FAQ page.

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• What conditions are treated by pediatric physical therapy? 

• How do you define and measure PT goals? 

• How often will my child receive therapy, and for how long? 

• How can I support my child at home with physical therapy? 

• How do you communicate with other healthcare providers? 

• Can you tell me about your training and experience with pediatric physical therapy? 

• How do you assess and manage pain?

• How do you determine if a child needs adaptive equipment or assistive devices?

• What is your approach to incorporating play into physical therapy sessions for children?

• How do you address concerns about a child’s physical abilities affecting their ability to participate in sports or other physical activities?

• What are some of the tools you use in your pediatric physical therapy practice?

• What techniques will be used during the PT therapy sessions?

• Can I see pictures of your indoor gym? 

• How can I learn more about scheduling an evaluation or session?

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What conditions are commonly treated by pediatric physical therapy?

Here is a list of the underlying conditions that commonly lead children to need physical therapy. At All 4 Therapy, our experienced physical therapists will be happy to discuss a treatment plan for the unique challenges of your child’s condition(s).

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• Developmental delays

• Cerebral palsy

• Muscular dystrophy

• Torticollis

• Down syndrome

• Traumatic brain injury

• Sports injuries

• Orthopedic conditions

• Scoliosis

• Clubfoot

• Leg length discrepancy

• Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)

• Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

• Limb deformities

• Spina bifida

• Perthes disease

• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)

 

What are the goals of pediatric physical therapy sessions, and how will progress be measured?

Every child who comes to All 4 Therapy for physical therapy is unique, so goals are tailored to meet the needs of each child (but of course you knew that!).

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PT goals might include strengthening a specific muscle, improving muscle tone, increasing mobility, or enhancing coordination. Progress is measured by close communication with parents and caregivers.

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How often will the child receive therapy, and how long will each session last?

Many of our pediatric physical therapy patients visit our office once or twice a week, for thirty-minute sessions. However, every treatment plan is different, and some children may come more or less often to our practice.

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Often, delays or challenges in one area cause difficulties in other areas as well; for that reason, we also offer speech therapy, language therapy, feeding therapy, and occupational therapy. Our therapists work together to take a whole-child approach to learning and development.

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What can parents and caregivers do to support their child's progress outside of therapy sessions?

Our physical therapists routinely send parents and caregivers with “homework,” activities and exercises they can do at home to make progress in physical therapy.

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Our PTs may also offer guidance regarding practical recommendations to accommodate physical limitations, as well as pain management advice.

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How will you work with the child's other healthcare providers, such as their pediatrician or occupational therapist?

Our communication style is flexible and transparent, with our ultimate goal always being your child’s ability to thrive. We are open to many kinds of cross-disciplinary communication, including phone calls, e-meetings, and more.

 

What kind of training and experience do you have in working with children?

Our therapists are both trained and experienced; please see online the profiles of our therapists to learn more.

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How do you assess and manage pain during therapy sessions?

Pain management begins with an initial assessment. Our therapist may use a variety of tools to gauge a child’s pain level, including pain scales, observations, and conversations with the child and caregiver.

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Then, our PT may use pain management techniques, such as heat or cold therapy, massage, stretching, and positioning. We can also use distraction to take our children’s minds off their pain.

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Our physical therapists often educate parents and caregivers about pain management strategies for children that can be used at home. And we regularly collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

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How do you determine if a child needs adaptive equipment or assistive devices?

Our physical therapists are trained to assess children’s needs and make determinations about assistive devices, adaptive equipment, orthotics, or prosthetics.

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What is your approach to incorporating play into physical therapy sessions for children?

Enjoying play is a prerequisite for all our therapists at All 4 Therapy LLC. Physical therapy should be fun and engaging. You and your child will be surprised at how time flies when you’re having fun!

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How do you address concerns about a child’s physical abilities affecting their ability to participate in sports or other physical activities?

Physical therapy doesn’t end when a child leaves our office. We listen carefully to the concerns parents and children may have about their abilities to participate in daily physical activities. And we are frequently able to offer solutions that keep our kids having fun and doing what they love.

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What are some of the tools you use in your pediatric physical therapy practice?

Balance equipment: balance beams, balance boards, and stability balls that help improve a child's balance and coordination.

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• Fine motor tools: Hand putty, pinch grips, and scissors to improve dexterity and grip.

• Gait training devices: Walkers, crutches, and canes to help children learn to walk or improve their walking abilities.

• Strength training equipment: Resistance bands, weights, and exercise machines that help build strength and endurance.

• Sensory integration equipment: Swings, weighted blankets, or sensory bins, to help regulate sensory input and improve attention and focus.

• Therapy balls and mats: To improve balance, coordination, and core strength.

• Assistive technology: This includes a wide range of devices and equipment that help children with disabilities perform tasks they might otherwise have difficulty with.

 

What techniques will be used during the PT therapy sessions?

Our physical therapists have both education and experience in dealing with common issues affecting movement and development.

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Here are just a few of the therapies we may integrate with your child’s treatment plan.

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Exercise and strength training: Our activities can improve strength, balance, coordination, and endurance—all while having fun.

• Motor learning and developmental activities: We love to help children learn and develop new motor skills, such as crawling, walking, and running.

• Gait training: We can help children improve their ability to walk, including posture, balance, and coordination.

• Neuromuscular re-education: We help children with neurological conditions or injuries to retrain their muscles and nervous system to function properly.

• Constraint-induced movement therapy: We use this therapy to improve the function of an affected limb by restricting the use of the unaffected limb.

• Orthotics and prosthetics: We can collaborate with orthotists or prosthetists to design and fit custom braces, splints, or prosthetics to improve mobility issues.

• Manual therapy: Our PTs sometimes use hands-on techniques, such as massage, stretching, and joint mobilization, to help improve range of motion, reduce pain, and promote healing.

• Sensory integration therapy: This therapy focuses on improving a child's ability to process sensory information, which can impact their overall physical abilities and also their behavior.

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How Can I Learn More About Possibly Enrolling My Child In Physical Therapy At All 4 Therapy LLC?

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Please reach out to us using our contact form.

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We would be happy to discuss your child’s unique PT needs.

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Check out our indoor occupational and physical therapy gym!

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