Is Your Child Ready to Thrive? How Pediatric Therapy Can Help

Every child grows at their own pace. But sometimes, a little extra help goes a long way. Maybe your baby is having trouble rolling over. Or, your toddler trips and falls more than other kids. Perhaps your child struggles to get dressed, calm down, or play well with others. If any of this sounds familiar, pediatric therapy might be the answer. At Riverside Healthcare, pediatric therapists work with children from birth to age 21.

What Is Pediatric Therapy?

Pediatric therapy helps children build the skills they need for everyday life. At Riverside, that includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Each one focuses on something a little different. But the goal is always the same. 

Qiana Goosby is a licensed physical therapist who has been at Riverside for 21 years. She says it best: “We focus more on function-based activities.” That means helping kids do the things that matter in their daily lives.

Signs Your Child May Need Pediatric Therapy

This is something many parents wonder about. Taylor Coblentz is a licensed occupational therapist at Riverside’s pediatric clinic. She says to trust what you see. “If you begin to notice any developmental delays, or you notice your child having difficulty with different things such as dressing, walking, toileting, their behaviors, their emotional regulation, I would reach out to your primary care provider, and they can guide you through the next steps.”

Some signs that therapy might help include:

• Frequent tripping, falling, or trouble with balance
• Difficulty with dressing, feeding, or other daily tasks
• Delays in rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking
• Trouble holding pencils, utensils, or small objects
• Challenges with play, communication, or interacting with other children
• Difficulty managing emotions or calming down

Pain is another reason to seek help. Goosby notes that many kids are hurt in ways they cannot explain. “A lot of kids who have postural deficits are in pain,” she explains. “So we treat that too.”

Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy for Kids: What’s the Difference?

Many parents are unsure what physical therapy and occupational therapy do. Here is a simple way to think about it.

Occupational therapy helps children with the tasks of daily life. Coblentz breaks it down. “We target skills needed for learning and completing daily tasks,” she offers. “We look at fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and visual motor skills. Then, another big component is general play skills. How children can communicate, engage with, and play with other children their age, and how they regulate their emotions.”

Physical therapy is about how the body moves. “We focus on gross motor movements like walking, balance,” notes Goosby. “But we also do some sports, depending on how old the child is or how high-functioning they are.”

In general, pediatric therapy may focus on helping children improve:

• Movement and balance (walking, running, climbing)
• Fine motor skills (writing, using utensils, buttoning clothes)
• Daily living skills (dressing, feeding, toileting)
• Communication and play skills
• Emotional regulation and social interaction

Both therapists work with a wide range of needs. These range from tight necks and flat heads in babies to autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome in older kids.

Personalized Therapy Plans for Every Child

The first visit starts with talking and listening. Therapists speak with parents, watch how the child moves, and use simple tests to see where the child stands. Most of all, they ask what the family wants to work on. Goosby explains why that matters. “We discuss with the kid and with the caregiver, ‘What are your goals?’ Because my goals might not be what their goals are,” she emphasizes. “So, we have to get to know the kids and know the parents, see what they like, and add it into our plan so that it’ll be fun for them.”

Coblentz agrees. “They’re going to follow through a little bit better if they care more about it.”

Why a Team Approach Matters in Pediatric Therapy

No child at Riverside sees just one person. Therapists and doctors stay in close touch. When it helps, two therapists will see a child together. Coblentz calls this a “co-treat." “We’ll see them together to get the most optimal outcomes,” she assures.

Parents are a big part of the team, too. Goosby is clear about why home practice matters. “We only see patients usually once a week. If they are only coming and doing these skills once a week, they’re not going to learn it, they’re not going to retain it,” she cautions. “They have to implement it in daily life for it to be effective.”

When Parents Should Talk to a Pediatric Therapist

Starting therapy can feel scary. But both therapists want you to know it is okay to reach out. “You’re your child’s biggest advocate. So, if you’re not speaking to someone about it or acting on it, then they’re not receiving the help that they may need,” reinforces Coblentz. “Over-advocate, communicate, and try to help your child in the best ways that you can.”

Not sure where to start? Goosby keeps it simple: “Come talk to us. You can call us or visit our clinic. It might make you feel a little bit better about coming to see us.”

Learn more about pediatric therapy at Riverside Healthcare by visiting riversidehealthcare.org/services/rehabilitation-and-therapy/pediatric-therapy.