What Types of Pediatric Therapies Exist?

Pediatric Physical Therapy

Many children experience illnesses, injuries or conditions that limit them physically in the home, at school and in the community. A pediatric physical therapist will look at what challenges your child faces every day, provide an official diagnosis, and create a plan to improve their strength, endurance and learning abilities. The goal of pediatric physical therapy is to help your child move without pain, avoid or decrease permanent physical disabilities and support normal range-of-motion function. An overall focus on your child’s general health and quality of life are ways to measure improvement milestones and successes. Listed below are some conditions where it would be appropriate to have your child visit a pediatric physical therapist:

  • Brain, spinal and nerve disorders
  • Developmental delays
  • Genetic disorders
  • Head injuries
  • Heart and lung conditions
  • Limb deficiencies
  • Muscle diseases
  • Orthopedic disabilities/injuries
  • Pediatric opioid addiction
  • Sports injuries

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy can help children of all ages, including infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and adolescents. Our specialty-trained occupational therapists work in schools, clinics and homes, depending on need. We seek a partnership with your entire family, while addressing both physical and mental health challenges. Some conditions that pediatric occupational therapy can help include:

  • Anxiety
  • Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Brain injury
  • Cancer
  • Cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions
  • Coordination disorder
  • Genetic disorders
  • Handwriting difficulties   
  • Sensory processing and learning disabilities
  • Spinal cord injuries

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathology

Some children have trouble communicating and swallowing, which may require an evaluation by one of our specialists to determine how speech and language therapy can help. Our pediatric speech-language pathologists treat children from infants to 18 years of age. Being seen by a specialist can help improve vocal quality, speech clarity, language use and understanding as well as safe feeding and swallowing. Certain conditions are known to be associated with speech-language challenges such as:

  • Apraxia of Speech (AOS)
  • Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
  • Craniofacial abnormalities
  • Developmental delays
  • Expressive disorders
  • Feeding and swallowing disorders
  • Fluency disorders
  • Genetic syndromes
  • Hearing impairments
  • Lisping
  • Muteness
  • Nerve and muscle damage
  • Neurological disorders
  • Stuttering disorders
  • Voice disorders
  • Vocal cord spasms

To schedule an appointment, call 866-GUTHRIE (866-488-4743).

Pediatric Therapy at Guthrie

When children are struggling with meeting developmental milestones, difficulty at school and keeping up with their peers, Guthrie is here for you and your child through a team approach to care. We treat children of all ages to help overcome common or complex obstacles with a network of resources available throughout the region. Choosing Guthrie is choosing a patient-centered experience where we work with your child, as well as your entire family, to ensure the best possible improvements and outcomes.

Call 866-GUTHRIE (866-488-4743) today to make an appointment.