Treatment of Idiopathic Toe Walking in Children
Idiopathic Toe Walking (ITW) is when a child has a consistent toe-walking gait. It is considered idiopathic because the cause is unknown, meaning that other factors are excluded such as comorbidities, and their muscle tone and reflexes are typical.
Toe Walking in Children: When Should You Be Concerned?
Toe walking is exactly as it sounds, it is when a child walks on their toes instead of the normal heel-toe gait (a gait is a way a person walks). Toe walking can be normal, especially when a child is first learning to walk. Some children grow out of it once they gain more balance and stability, and get a general sense of walking. However, if toe walking persists past the age of 3, it should be addressed because it can have long-term effects on your child’s quality of life.
A Physical Therapist’s Role in Treating Autism
Autism is classified as a developmental disorder that occurs on a spectrum. Each child will be affected differently and some cases will be more severe than others. However, in many cases, a child with ASD has some level of motor skill delay.
A PT's job is to treat a child with autism to improve their motor function, such as coordination and balance, and to advocate for those children
Autism and Physical Therapy
Autism is a developmental disorder that occurs on a spectrum. This just means that each child will be affected differently. Common signs and symptoms of autism include trouble with social and communication skills. However, in many cases, a child with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) has some level of motor skill delay.
Most Effective Treatments for Apraxia
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor planning and programming disorder that affects oral motor movement, meaning there is a problem with communication between the brain and mouth.
This disorder can sometimes be referred to as developmental apraxia of speech, or developmental verbal dyspraxia. However, apraxia is not developmental because children do not grow out of it. This is a lifelong condition that needs treatment in order to improve.
Treating Torticollis
The cause of CMT is still relatively unknown but could be due to trauma during birth, positioning throughout the day or at night, positioning in the womb, or a problem with blood supply to the womb. CMT is treated mainly through stretching and repositioning. In the most serious cases, it can require botulinum or surgery. However, most cases of CMT, when addressed before the age of six months to a year, are treatable with little to no long-term effects.
What is Torticollis?
Congenital Muscular Torticollis is the twisting of the neck causing tightness on one side and resulting in a limited range of motion. Particularly, it is tightness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) of the neck.
Effectiveness of the PDMS-2 for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Due to the nature of Cerebral Palsy, therapists need a good motor evaluative tool to evaluate the condition and progress of the child. All tests are great tools for evaluating children in physical and occupational therapy settings. However, the best test for an individual child, in this case, a child with Cerebral Palsy, will differ.
What is the Peabody Test?
One of the most common tests used by both physical and occupational therapists is the Peabody. Although therapists typically refer to this assessment as the Peabody, the test is officially titled the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Second Edition (PDMS-2).
Strengthening: Research on Resistance Training and Therapist Resources
This article looks at the effectiveness of resistance training for those children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, the article also summarizes the strength training protocols for typically developing children and is applicable to children that don’t have CP.
Strength Training in Physical Therapy and Daily Life
If you’re reading this article, you are probably wondering about strength or resistance training for kids. When is it okay to start? How can it be beneficial? What types of exercises are appropriate? Keep reading to find out more!
Providing Pediatric Physical Therapy in School Versus Clinical Settings
Physical therapy in all settings is rewarding; however, there are some differences to expect when providing physical therapy in school versus clinical settings.
The Difference Between Your Child’s Physical Therapy in School versus Clinical Settings
You may be curious as to why your child requires both school-based and clinical physical therapy, or, perhaps, you’re confused as to why your child qualifies for clinic-based physical therapy but not for in-school services. Keep reading below to learn more about the similarities and differences of physical therapy in different settings.
What are IEPs and ETRs?
IEPs and ETRs are common terms you might encounter, especially if your child needs speech, occupational, or physical therapy. In this guide, we will break down the basics of what each term refers to and provide some great resources if you’d like to dig deeper about the pieces and parts that make up IEPs and ETRs.
Benefits of Yoga for Children
Yoga is a wonderful form of low-impact exercise for people of all ages, but did you know that it can be especially beneficial for children, including those with special needs? The positive aspects of yoga-based exercises go well beyond the physical benefits and help children develop their focus and concentration while also boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Effective Interventions for Improving Coordination
The purpose of this systematic literature review titled is to explore the types of physical therapy interventions used to help children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and whether they are effective in improving coordination and balance.
Coordination
Coordination is an important part of your child’s development. Exercises will typically target visual motor skills and bilateral skills. As your child develops, coordination will improve. There are also a variety of activities your child can do that help improve their coordination and balance.
Create Confidence: the Importance of Self-Esteem in Young Children
When a child feels confident, they feel like they can take on the world. OT,PT, and Speech are geared towards helping build independence and confidence by helping your child build on the skillsets they need to thrive in life. These could be motor skills, communication, behavior, and more.
What is the Difference Between Fine Motor and Gross Motor Skills?
Motor skills, which are involved in the muscle movement within a child’s body, are divided into two categories: fine motor and gross motor. All motor skills require the necessary strength, coordination, and planning skills in order to be effective. There are many factors that contribute to the development of motor skills. What’s the difference between the two and what role do they play in your child’s development? Keep reading to find out!