Pediatric Physical Therapy

Our physical therapists start with a thorough baseline evaluation of your child, which usually takes about one hour. They will examine and observe your child while exploring your child’s medical history, discussing their health issues and talking with you about the goals of physical therapy. At the close of the evaluation, our therapists will present their findings and results, and give you a plan for physical therapy tailored to your child’s needs. The plan will include a proposed schedule and frequency for physical therapy treatments.

Your child’s physical therapy, depending on your child’s treatment plan, can include many different therapeutic modalities, including some of the following:

• Tailored exercises
• Elongating tight muscles and strengthening weak muscles during active exercise
• Specialized equipment to help your child meet their therapy goals
• Training children in the use of assistive and adaptive devices such as braces, various crutches and walkers
• Application of advanced knowledge regarding motor development
• Sport specific rehabilitation to ensure timely return to sport
• Individualized home program with instructions in exercises and positioning to meet your child’s needs

For teenagers who need ongoing physical therapy treatments into young adulthood, we make sure the transitions to adult care are seamless and well-coordinated. We work closely with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab​ (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) and other premier institutions in the Chicago metropolitan area and region to ensure the continuity of care for every child.