Objectives:

By the end of the lecture, students will be able to;

• Explore the versatility of the field of Pediatric Physical Therapy & and their
work domains.
• Acknowledge the role as a Pediatric Physical Therapist.
• Conditions and patients dealt with.
• Skills and importance of Pediatric Physical Therapist.
Who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist?
Pediatric physical therapists are specifically trained
individuals specialized in helping and training children
to develop and enhance their mobility so they can
safely participate in activities in the community, at
school, as well as at home.
What do Pediatric Physical Therapists Do?
• A pediatric physical therapist specializes in the rehabilitation of
children who suffer from chronic disabilities, physical ailments and
developmental delays.
• Pediatric physical therapists help children improve their motor skills,
strength, endurance, balance and coordination. They deal with
children who have physical challenges, as well as mental challenges.

Our basic goal is to help children reach their maximum potential and
utmost independency when doing daily tasks and functions.
 OUR PATIENTS
Often deal with children who have:
Amputations, Arthritis, Balance
Impairments, Cerebral Palsy,
Developmental Delays, Torticollis,
Scoliosis, Spina Bifida and much
more.

OUR PEERS
You have to work alongside
doctors, pediatricians, family
members, Rehab Team, etc.
 Ages dealt with:

Pediatric patients range from infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care

Unit to teenage competitive athletes, specifically 0 to 18 years of age,
and young adults with childhood disorders.
What conditions can be treated with pediatric PT?
There are many familiar childhood disorders and diseases that present with movement
dysfunction and motor skill issues that can be treated by physical therapy, these include:
• Cerebral Palsy
• Autism
• Down Syndrome
• Muscular Dystrophy and associated disorders
• Spina Bifida
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Cardio-Pulmonary Disorders
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Cancer
• Traumatic Brain Injury.
What conditions can be treated with
pediatric PT?

• In addition, many children present with

hypotonia and developmental coordination
disorder without a formal diagnosis.

• Orthopedic conditions can also be treated with

PT include scoliosis, back pain, sports injuries,
fractures, and orthopedic surgeries.
What is the pediatric PT’s role?
To evaluate and provide treatment for delays in motor
skills by developing the strength and range of motion
that children need to move through their environment
easily and effectively.
Assessment of flexibility, strength, posture, gait, sensory
processing, balance, coordination and skill.
Assess motor development using standardized testing
for age equivalents.
The long-term goal includes gross motor skill
development solid to age with good quality to both
sides of the body.
SKILLS REQUIRED SKILLS
REQUIRED/
• Assess and evaluate patient. QUALIFICATIONS
NEEDED
• Perform tests on patients such as range of
motion, neuromotor skills, and reflexes.
• Clinical reasoning and decision-making to
determine a diagnosis (what's wrong with the
patient) and prognosis (will the patient improve,
how much, and when)
• Use goal-setting skills to set a plan of care in
action
• First-Aid, CPR, safety, in case of emergency
SKILLS REQUIRED

• Use of orthotics, prosthetics, walkers, wheelchairs, and other

supportive devices
• Manual therapy, tissue massage, traction, and manipulation
• Communication skills for patient/family education, consultations with
other health professionals
• Practice Management skills such as billing & coding for proper
reimbursement, documentation of medical records, supervising staff
such as physical therapy assistants, and quality improvement
• Professional skills and values such as accountability, integrity,
compassion, responsibility
What makes pediatric PT different from
regular PT?

• Children often don’t understand why they are in

therapy. Play, family involvement, and one-on-one
care are exclusive to the pediatric therapists’ care
of children.
• Fun and motivational factors are incorporated into
functional activities to make therapy enjoyable for
the child.
 What makes pediatric PT different from
regular PT?
• Collaboration of care includes recommending and training in
orthotics, prosthetics, adaptive equipment, custom
wheelchair seating systems and adaptive technology. In
addition the pediatric PT provides family support including
coordination of services, advocacy, and assistance with
enhancing development.
HOW DOES PSYCHOLOGY APPLY?
•ABNORMAL PSYCH – deals with abnormal behaviors and disorders,
such as developmental disorder.
•BEHAVIORAL PSYCH – deals with observing a person’s behavior. Key
concepts include shaping, operant conditioning, classical
conditioning.
•DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCH – Focuses on the development process from
the womb to the tomb.
•SOCIAL PSYCH – seeks to explain and understand how we relate to one
another.
•SPORTS PSYCH – Deals with how psychology influences sports, physical
activity and exercise.
•HEALTH PSYCH – It focuses on promoting health
Where can you find a pediatric PT?
• Pediatric physical therapists practice in hospitals, outpatient clinics,
home-care, schools, day care centers, and Early Intervention
Programs.
• Overall, a primary benefit of practicing pediatric Physical Therapy is
the joy of helping children and their families achieve their greatest
abilities under challenging circumstances.

The mission of the APTA Pediatric Section is to promote the highest

quality of life for children, people with developmental disabilities, and
their families using evidence-based practice.
 WORK ATTIRE
Physical Therapists working in a hospital environment may be required to wear lab coats or scrubs.
For a PT, their uniform must be: safe, comfortable, allow them to move freely and look professional.
4 Things You Should Know About Pediatric
Physical Therapy
• Treating injured children is different from
helping adults and requires a unique
approach.
• Parents and family members become part of
the process
• Insurance coverage for pediatric physical
therapy varies
• Pediatric physical therapy can benefit children
dealing with a wide range of conditions. 
“A caring pediatric physical therapist can make a
significant difference in a child’s life, helping them
to achieve their goals and function at a higher
level”
SOURCES
• Physiotherapy for Children, Chapter 2
• http://
www.disabled world.com/medical/rehabili
tation/therapy/pediatric-physical-
therapy.php
• https://ptsolutions.com/the-importance-
of-pediatric-physical-therapy.
• https://littlestepspt.com/physical-
therapy/4-things-you-should-know-about-
pediatric-physical-therapy.