Some signs that a child may benefit from pediatric physical therapy are easy to spot. Others can be surprisingly easy to miss.
Pediatric physical therapy can support children in many areas of physical development, including gross motor skills, balance, coordination, strength, endurance, mobility, and confidence.
Some signs that may indicate a child could benefit from a physical therapy evaluation include:
- Gross motor difficulties: Learning to sit, crawl, walk, or run later than expected; difficulty jumping, climbing, or using stairs; or struggling to keep up with other children.
- Balance and coordination challenges: Frequent trips or falls, difficulty balancing on one foot, or trouble catching, throwing, or kicking a ball.
- Strength and endurance concerns: Tiring more quickly than other children, having difficulty keeping up during play or sports, or avoiding physically challenging activities.
- Walking and movement differences: Frequent toe walking, an unusual walking or running pattern, limping, or favoring one side.
- Pain or injury recovery: Ongoing pain with movement or activity, difficulty returning to normal activities after an injury, or changing the way they move because something hurts.
- Sports and physical activity challenges: Difficulty learning age-appropriate physical skills, struggling with running, jumping, or changing direction, or having trouble participating confidently in sports or PE.
Having difficulty in one of these areas does not automatically mean a child needs physical therapy. Children develop at different rates, and a physical therapist can help determine whether a child’s challenges are affecting their ability to move, play, and participate successfully in everyday activities.
Early support can help children build strength, confidence, coordination, and physical skills they can use at home, at school, in sports, and in the community.
If you’ve wondered whether your child could benefit from pediatric physical therapy, Rehab Specialists of Idaho offers free screenings to help families determine whether an evaluation may be appropriate. Contact Rehab Specialists of Idaho to learn more.