Click here for photo creditA referral to pediatric physical therapy may be intimidating for parents, but it doesn’t have to be! Learn how to prepare for your child’s first appointment with their physical therapist so you can feel confident that your child is getting the care they need.
You called and made the appointment, and you filled out all the appropriate paperwork. Now what? Maybe you had physical therapy before or you know someone who had physical therapy after an injury, but how does that apply to children? How will the physical therapist get my child to follow any directions? These are all common questions and concerns expressed by a lot of parents.
If you're considering a physical therapy evaluation for your child, it may be because you have concerns about their gross motor development. Your child might be having difficulties with activities like running, climbing, jumping, or walking. A physical therapist can help address these developmental delays by working on enhancing their strength, balance, coordination, and more.
The first appointment is called the initial evaluation. During this time the therapist will collect lots of information through various means. They will ask you questions, and they will observe your child move and play. These observations tell the therapist about your child’s strength, balance and coordination. If your child is comfortable being touched by a relatively new person, the therapist would also access range of motion, muscle tone, and reflexes. Your therapist might also find it necessary to administer a standardized assessment. This norm-referenced assessment will evaluate your child's motor skills in comparison to children of the same age. It will help identify whether there are any delays in your child's motor development and the extent of these delays. The initial evaluation can take as long as 60-90 minutes and the information collected helps the therapist to determine if physical therapy is right for your child.
During the initial appointment, you'll be with your child throughout the session. However, this arrangement may change in subsequent sessions. Some parents find that their child responds better to therapy when they are not in the room. Ideally, a child would willingly engage in "playtime" with a familiar person who has tons of fun toys, but this will depend on your child’s temperament and the relationship they develop with the therapist. It may take a few sessions for your child to develop a rapport with their therapist.
The physical therapist may be treating your child in an outpatient clinic, hospital, school or even at home. The areas addressed by a physical therapist are different then those addressed by a speech therapist or occupational therapist.
Besides the standard items you usually bring to a medical appointment such as identification, insurance card, a list of medications, and relevant medical documents, you might also consider bringing some notes to better organize your thoughts. During the initial evaluation, the therapist will inquire about your child's developmental milestones, such as sitting up, crawling, walking, and when they achieved them. They'll also want to discuss your specific concerns, so having notes about these is helpful. Providing details about your child's history and your concerns assists the therapist in tailoring your child's treatment plan. Ensure that your child wears comfortable clothing suitable for movement and bring any specialized equipment they use (i.e. braces, crutches, walker, etc).
Based on the evaluation findings, the therapist and parents will collaborate to set specific goals for your child’s physical therapy. These goals should be realistic, measurable, and tailored to your child’s needs. The therapist will outline a treatment plan, which may include specific exercises, interventions, and strategies to address your child’s needs and work towards the established goals. The therapist will provide guidance and education about your child's condition, exercises to do at home, and any modifications or strategies that can help improve the child's physical function.
Depending on the child's needs, the therapist will establish a schedule for follow-up visits to monitor progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan.
It's crucial to remember that early intervention is often more effective in addressing physical challenges in children. If you have concerns about your child's physical development, consult with your child's pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist for a thorough evaluation and guidance on whether physical therapy is appropriate for your child.
Identifying whether your child needs physical therapy can depend on various factors. If you have concerns, take advantage of our free 15-minute consultation and let Benchmark Pediatrics help.
.png)
.png)
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}