Physical Therapy
- A child’s daily learning process forms a major part of his physical development and movement. Throughout the day, the activities of physical play and recreation help them develop the skill of controlling their own bodies and acquire more physical well-being and strength. When they develop these skills, they become stronger, faster, and more mobile. They get a clearer sense of balance and become more aware of their surroundings. This boosts their self-esteem, confidence, and ability to stay secure.
- However, not all children grow at the same pace and some may lack the motor skills required for their age group. As a parent, it is worrisome and saddening to sense this difference. At TEAM4Kids, we strive to help children develop the motor skills essential for their best growth. We help parents identify all the problematic areas in their child’s motor abilities and offer therapeutic solutions. Physical therapy is made to fit the individual health care needs of each child and improve their gross motor skills and physical abilities.
- TEAM4Kids, with its physical therapy team, aims at fully developing their gross motor skills and supporting their best growth.
If You Identify a Physical Problem in your Child
- If your child is behind in acquiring motor skills with which other children their age are comfortable, it is a good idea to consult with a Pediatric Physical Therapist. At TEAM4Kids, our pediatric physical therapists help children accomplish their highest motor potential through play activities. Whether it’s crawling, rolling, running, or balancing, our physical therapists help children be more successful in movement.
- If your child is behind in attaining motor skills with which other children their age are comfortable, it is a good idea to consult with a Pediatric Physical Therapist. At TEAM4Kids, our pediatric physical therapists help children accomplish their highest motor potential through play activities. Whether it’s crawling, rolling, running, or balancing, our physical therapists help children be more successful in movement.
TEAM4Kids – Developing the Best Motor Skills in Children
At TEAM4Kids, we offer comprehensive evaluations and treatment techniques for motor impairments in children. With our therapeutic solutions, we strive to help children of all ages become efficient movers. By tailoring our physical therapy to suit the specific needs of each and every child, we offer individualized solutions to best suit the needs of the child and family. Our team consists of Physical Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists. We are all committed to helping every parent improve their child’s motor potential and overall physical development.
When is Physical Therapy Classes?
My child was born on time and does not have any medical complications but things just seem harder, what should I do?
As a parent, you are the expert on your child (whether you feel that way or not!). If your baby is struggling, we want to help. A baby’s brain in a sponge. Changes can usually begin to be seen in a few short sessions. If you have a concern, give us a call to schedule a complimentary screening or an evaluation for your child.
What are some common diagnoses you treat?
PT’s treat a wide variety of diagnosis such as torticollis, premature birth, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, a chromosomal anomaly, toe walking, delayed milestones, acute injuries, spina bifida, stroke, scoliosis, post surgery and sports injuries. These are some of the most common.
What age groups do you service?
Our PT’s treat newborns to young adults.
What are your hours of operation?
We are open Monday-Thursday from 7:30-6 and on Fridays from 7:30-5.
How long are therapy sessions?
Our physical therapy sessions are 30-45 minutes for individual sessions and 60 minutes for groups and classes.
What are the milestones that my child should be meeting?
- All children develop at a different pace but most kids should meet major motor milestones around the same age. As a guide, listed below are some of the most common gross motor milestones and the age range when children typically master these skills.
- 0-2 months – Bends and straightens arms and legs alternately and together, bears weight through legs when held in standing, turns head toward voices, tracks people or objects, when on stomach elevates head 45 degrees and turns head from side to side.
- 3-5 months – Has good head control in all positions, brings hands to midline, grabs feet with hands, brings feet to mouth for play, rolls from back to sides, begins to balance in sitting using arms to prop.
- 6-8 months – Reaches for toys when on stomach, rolls from back to stomach, belly crawls, sits unsupported and can reach for/play with toys without falling, catches self when falling out of sitting.
- 9-11 months – Crawls on hands and knees, pulls to standing at furniture, lowers from standing safely, stands for a few seconds without support, gets self into sitting from lying down.
- 12-14 months – Walks short distances without assistance, squats to pick up a toy and returns to standing without support, crawls up steps, rolls a ball back and forth with another person.
- 15-18 months – Crawls down steps safely, walking has matured, walks on gravel, grass and hills without falling, walks up steps with support from an adult’s finger, walks backward a few steps, throws a ball.
- 19-24 months – runs, jumps up, forward and down, walks up steps without support from wall or rail, kicks a ball, throws a ball overhand and underhand.
- 25-36 months – Walks down steps without support, jumping skills of up, over, forward, and off objects progress to further distances and with improved coordination, running matures, catches a ball.
- 36-48 months – Performs steps without a rail placing only 1 foot on each step, stands on 1 foot, rides a tricycle, throwing skills mature and for further distances, hops on one foot, gallops, crosses a balance beam without stepping off.
- 48-60 months – Rides a bike with or without training wheels, dribbles a ball, hops on each foot several times, skips.
- 60-72 months – Performs hopscotch, jumping jacks and jump rope. Balls skills of catching, throwing, dribbling and kicking mature. Performs sit ups and push ups.
Do you provide written reports of my child’s progress?
Yes! At your child’s initial evaluation you will be provided with a report of the therapists findings as well as a treatment plan.
What are your hours?
We are open at all locations Monday-Friday from 7:30am-6:00pm and on Saturdays in our Surprise clinic from 8:00am-5:30pm.
My child was a preemie and/or has a medical diagnosis, should I wait until they should be sitting or crawling but can’t?
NO, don’t wait! Neuroplasticity is a fancy term for the brain’s ability to change and make new connections over time. An infant’s brain is amazing! Even a brain with visible damage on an MRI can learn to make new pathways and a young brain is able to ‘rewire’ at a much faster rate than even a kindergartener. Don’t wait for your infant to hit 6 months old and not be able to sit with his/hands propping or for them to reach 10 months and not be able to crawl hands and knees. Each milestone leads to the next and is important for overall development. Movement often guides communication and early delays can snowball and effect the bigger picture of development.
Why would a baby need physical therapy?
Developmental milestones are tasks that children learn as they grow. Typically, babies reach these milestones naturally as they grow and mature. Sometimes, milestones do not come as naturally to a child. A parent may notice their baby has poor head control, isn’t grasping for toys, learning to roll or starting to sit independently. A physical therapist can work hands-on with the child and also with the parent to teach them how to work with their baby on a daily basis to reach new goals. Some babies have delayed milestones with no underlying medical conditions. Other times, a baby may have a diagnosis such as torticollis, premature birth, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, a chromosomal anomaly or other medical conditions. Physical therapists are well educated in development and movement.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Our therapist are in such high demand however, your flexibility will determine how quickly we can schedule the initial evaluation. We have been very successful at moving appointments to an earlier date once scheduled.
Will my insurance cover the cost of therapy?
We accept all insurance plans. Your insurance benefits will determine how much of your treatment is covered. We don’t want finances to get in the way of your child’s therapy needs. if you have concerns about the cost of care call us to schedule a free screening so you can learn first hand the benefits of therapy for your child.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call one of our amazing Patient Care Coordinators at 1-800-376-3440 and they will be happy to answer any questions and get you scheduled.
What payment options do you accept?
We accept cash, card or check. We also accept Class Wallet.
My child has torticollis and prefers to only look one direction but they will be getting a reshaping helmet, that will ‘fix’ things, right?
Yes and no– a helmet can help correct the shape of your child’s head (plagiocephaly); however, there will likely still be an imbalance of neck muscle use which will then affect movement and may lead to neglect of one side or patterns which then prevent typical rolling or crawling. These are best addressed early, at even a few weeks of age, vs waiting until a child is 9 months or older and now has preferences and compensations which must be corrected.