The ability to freely move with strength, ease and confidence is vital to a child’s growth and development. Brecksville physical therapy for children with disabilities at Therapy and Wellness Connection addresses mobility impairments. These could be temporary or permanent, minor or profound. The common thread is they all in some way impede development opportunities to participate in life the way others do.

Northeast Ohio pediatric physical therapy (PT) assists children and teens in overcoming disabling physical challenges. We want children and young adults who receive our services to attain the highest possible level of functional strength, endurance, comfort and independence.

In short: We want them to live a life without limitations!

Many clients are diagnosed with orthopedic, neurological, developmental, congenital and musculoskeletal conditions that medically necessitate therapeutic assistance to build, regain, maintain and improve the ability to move.

Physician referrals for pediatric physical therapy in Ohio can be made as early as birth. Doctor’s will be looking for whether an injury or condition poses significant challenges to healthy movement and physical function.

Therapy and Wellness Connection has been providing physical therapy services for children in Northeast Ohio since 2017.

Does My Child Need Physical Therapy?

Some diagnoses are widely recognized by doctors as being effectively treated – wholly or in part – with physical therapy. Absent a diagnosis, a doctor may recommend physical therapy intervention as medical necessity based on a comprehensive evaluation by our team members.

Conditions Our Physical Therapists Treat

  • Developmental delays
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Birth injuries
  • Torticollis
  • Birth defects (including spina bifida)
  • Amputations
  • Traumatic injuries (car accidents, sports injuries, etc.)
  • Down syndrome
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome
  • Autism
  • Head injury/ traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Scoliosis
  • Muscle diseases
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Stroke

Some children may receive therapy in several disciplines, not just physical but also occupational, speech and behavioral. The length, duration and focus of these therapies will depend entirely on the individual.

Symptoms/Conditions That May Necessitate Physical Therapy

  • Irregular gait (walking) pattern
  • Los muscle tone (hypertonia)
  • Reduced flexibility or range-of-motion
  • Weakness in the core or lower extremities
  • Routine loss of balance
  • Laxity (looseness) in ligaments
  • Movement patterns that aren’t symmetrical
  • Poor coordination
  • Poor posture
  • Pain

Each of these symptoms will be addressed according to the physician-issued prognosis and directives, parent input and the child’s own personal pace and goals.

All physical therapists at Therapy and Wellness Connection are highly-educated and are licensed by the State of Ohio. They’ve been welcomed to our team for having the high-quality traits we expect of our therapy tam. They are enthusiastic, upbeat and ready to help you get moving!

Brecksville Pediatric Physical Therapy Patient Goals

As noted by the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapy aims to restore, prevent or manage mobility issues. Physical therapy is one of the primary early intervention services commonly recommended for children with disabilities (or at risk of developing them) age birth to 3.

In collaboration with families, educators and other health care providers, physical therapists and physical therapy assistants draw from our wealth of education and practical experience to develop a reasonably-paced, medically-based plan-of-care that will work best for the child.

Physical therapy goals might include:

  • Developing better posture and patterns of movement
  • Increasing independence for exploration and functional mobility
  • Prevention of secondary complications
  • Improving control and stability necessary for recreational activities
  • Increasing strength, control and success during gross motor skill games and activities
  • Furthering ability to navigate environments both novel and familiar in a safe way
  • Improving cardiovascular endurance and circulation
  • Improved function for daily activities, routines and self-care

The criteria for any pediatric physical therapy plan-of-care goal is that it will be “S.M.A.R.T.” That is:

  • Specific/Significant
  • Measurable/Meaningful
  • Achievable/Action-Oriented
  • Realistic/Relevant
  • Timely-Trackable

In other words, physical therapy goals will be clear, verifiable, assessable and finite.

We point this out because while physical therapy often produces excellent results, they probably won’t happen overnight. Therapy in general is no quick fix. Parents and patients will see quantifiable improvement over time, but it may require patience.

Once progress becomes stagnant, your physical therapist may characterize the condition as having reached “maximum medical improvement,” meaning it’s unlikely to improve to any further significant degree. If you believe another physical therapist has reached a finding of maximum medical improvement this conclusion in error, we encourage a second opinion. Our physical therapists will give you an honest assessment.

The benefit of Therapy and Wellness Connection is that we offer physical therapy and many other services for children with disabilities under a single roof. We can also bring our services to you, which can help reduce your schedule conflicts.

If your child’s pediatrician has not written a referral for a physical therapy evaluation, but you’re concerned about your child’s mobility, strength, balance and coordination, we do offer brief initial screenings to determine whether physical therapy services might be beneficial. These notes can be forwarded to your physician to make a case for a full assessment. A formal determination of medical necessity will determine whether treatment is medically necessary and if insurance will cover it.

Our team members are ready to help your child move freely and live well.

For more information about Cleveland physical therapy, occupational therapy and behavioral therapy (ABA) at Therapy and Wellness Connection, Contact Us Online or call our office (330) 748-4807. Our educational services and multidisciplinary therapy are available in Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Cleveland, Akron and surrounding communities.