Is Physical Therapy Right for my child?

When a child is referred for physical therapy, it is because he shows a delay in his motor development and that means not only a problem for the child but for the whole family that suffers emotionally. These children generally have difficulty sitting or crawling, rolling or have deficits in their gross motor skills according to their age, for example, walking, running, climbing stairs, maintaining stability, etc.

The Give Me 5 team of therapists is trained to solve or improve these problems so that children can become independent and feel safe in their environment. Our work includes patients with all types of motor problems: cerebral palsy, scoliosis, spina bifida, autism, down syndrome, or any type of neurological or motor retardation of the child.

In a large and well-equipped gym and in special treatment rooms, we work in the following areas:

1. + Gross motor development – Tone, muscle strength, and ability to move a limb through its full range of motion.
2. + Posture, balance, and body alignment – to learn to be in control of the body while moving.
3. + Muscle strengthening: exercises that provide strength and resistance to the affected muscles.
4. + Head / neck posture – Neuromuscular function
5. + Cardiopulmonary resistance: exercises to increase the efficiency of the function of the cardiorespiratory system.
6. + Pre-gait and gait training – Endurance
7. + Safety – Locomotion patterns

The first step is to do an assessment to determine the child’s current functional status in the above areas. Together with the child and family, a treatment plan is developed with short-term and long-term goals to improve specific abilities and functional limitations. The frequency and duration of occupational therapy are also determined during the evaluation. The second step is the physical therapy sessions that will provide direct one-on-one treatment and include parent education. Our work offers a comprehensive program to support the transfer of skills to the home and community.

Diagnoses: sports injuries, developmental delays, ataxia, dyspraxia, concussion, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, Down syndrome, scoliosis, muscular dystrophy, coordination and balance, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis juvenile, torticollis, scoliosis, brain injury to the spinal cord, trauma (TBI) or any other physical condition that affects your motor development, you will be welcome at Give Me 5 Therapy Center.