Pediatric Physical Therapy

About This Treatment

The Franciscan Health pediatric physical therapy (PT) team treats children, from infants to adolescents, who have acute (sudden) or ongoing health issues. We have a strong commitment to open communication between therapists and your family. 

Therapists use a variety of challenging and fun activities to enhance children’s learning and improve their physical function and independence.

What is pediatric physical therapy (PT)?

Coordinated teams of experienced physical therapists and physical therapist assistants design a treatment plan to meet your child’s goals. Using a variety of innovative and fun techniques, we help your child optimize their gross motor and functional skills. 

We work together with parents and kids to set PT goals. Children’s physical therapy focuses on improving: 

• Gross and fine motor skills
• Balance and coordination
• Strength and endurance
• Cognitive and sensory processing and integration 

What pediatric PT treatments does Franciscan Health provide?

Our team uses a wide variety of therapies to treat disorders in children. Franciscan Health pediatric physical therapy specialists:

• Help children regain vital mobility skills after surgery or injury
• Teach children to use assistive devices such as crutches, walkers or wheelchairs
• Assess the need for braces or orthotics and other durable medical equipment, such as standing frames and wheelchairs
• Educate parents about risks, injury prevention and exercise guidelines for their child’s specific condition
• Assess children’s developmental needs, starting at birth
• Instruct children and their families in a progressive home exercise program

Who can benefit from pediatric physical therapy?

Our pediatric physical therapists treat children with many conditions, including: 

• Developmental delays
• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Spina bifida 
• Torticollis