Why would a child need physical therapy?
Many babies, such as those born prematurely or with diagnoses such as hypotonia or Down syndrome demonstrate difficulties with moving their bodies and learning motor skills like rolling and crawling. Other infants do not have a medical diagnosis, but are just not developing their developmental gross motor milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling and standing at target ages. All of these children can benefit from structured therapy activities to promote strength, coordination, endurance, movement and balance. Other children, such as those with orthopedic conditions like torticollis, clubfeet or hip dysplasia have specific rehabilitation needs that are individual to children and respond well to physical therapy along with medical intervention such as bracing and surgery. The goal of pediatric physical therapy is to improve the child’s function, mobility, independence and overall quality of life.
