Therapy and Care

The main rule of the pediatric physical therapist is to facilitate functional and capable movement in a child and to promote motor development. Theirs needs a holistic approach to pediatric physical therapy. A child is more than just a group of muscles. A child is an individual with a set of interacting emotions, physical and mental capabilities. In addition, a child is an integral part of a large system of relationships which strongly influence the child's development.

Based on the research in order for a child to move the child’s perception, motivation, and sense of well being interact with the system of the bones and the muscles. Since the child's relationships affect his or her motivation and self-esteem, the therapist must be sensitive to them.

As a professional working with children and parents, they must respect the family's needs, priorities, and goals. They can help parents focus on their child's abilities, not limitations, in an effort to support their bond with each other and to set expectations and goals. Depending on the needs of a parent or child during a particular session, motor goals may become secondary. Work on motor skills at a time of great stress for the family may not be of greatest benefit.

Parents are the most competent people in their child's life. Much of the success the child demonstrates is attributable to the parents' work, since the parents are with the child so much of the time. The other part of success is attributable to the child's hard work. Every child has abilities and need to be emphasized and built upon. Parents and children have their own needs, priorities, and goals, and as a professional dealing with the whole child, I must respect these. For it is only then that I can truly say that I have done the best I can for the child.