What is Pediatric Physical Therapy?
By Linda Thunn, DPT, physical therapist
Did you know October is National Physical Therapy Month? Each year during October, DMG’s pediatric physical therapy team has supported the Spina Bifida Association of Arizona through their annual Walk-N-Roll® fundraiser. We’re passionate about serving patients in- and outside of clinics.
What do pediatric physical therapists do?
Pediatric physical therapists work with children from birth to 21 years old and provide support and education to the patient’s family. Young patients may need physical therapy due to severe injury or require ongoing physical therapy due to developmental disabilities. Our goal is to develop, restore and/or improve mobility to enhance quality of life for the child and his/her family.
Pediatric physical therapy benefits children and their families and/or caregivers by promoting activity and participation in everyday routines, increasing functional independence, improving strength and endurance, facilitating motor development and mobility and easing the challenges of daily caregiving.
Pediatric physical therapists may also perform equipment evaluations, trialing each child in specialized equipment before ordering it to determine what works best. Types of equipment evaluations provided include:
- Adaptive seating
- Adaptive car seats
- Forearm crutches
- Gait trainers
- Standers
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs
