Problems with mobility can be debilitating to the point where an individual never wants to leave their home. The worst feeling, is having a child who is struggling and not being able to do anything about it. Luckily physical therapy helps children who are suffering from some kind of physical impairment that is detrimental to their movement, quality of life, gross-motor skills, coordination, and balance.

It is important to note that physical therapy is an intervention that entails the use of various techniques to help children physically function better. The techniques we use vary based on the needs of the child. An example of a session may include one of our physical therapists using hands on techniques to improve mobility, help with posture, and help a child transition between positions. The physical therapy is determined after a thorough evaluation of what the child needs.

Part of the physical therapy process is ensuring both the child and the family understand and are informed about physical therapy. Physical therapy is a team effort and our physical therapists will regularly communicate with the child, parents, and any other caregivers who are essential to the therapy process. We will make sure that our approach to physical therapy is child centered and we will create an individual treatment plan that is practical and applicable to real life.

Physical therapy is crucial to the treatment of many disorders and diagnoses. Specifically physical therapy can help treat or help with amputations, autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, down syndrome, hydrocephalus, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, injuries, scoliosis, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury and other disorders. The idea is that physical therapy will help regulate the body to optimize its functionality.

Physical therapy can provide great results. The benefits of physical therapy services include better posture and increased movement patterns, better and increased mobility and functioning, better and increased stability and control during recreational movements and activities, increased involvement in recreational activities at school and after school, and a more success during games that require the use of gross motor skills. With ongoing education and support, our physical therapy sessions can help develop and maintain specific skills related to functionality in life.

Adaptive Physical Education San Diego, CA

At Specialized Therapy Services, our Adaptive Physical Education (APE) services make health and fitness fun! Our APE teachers evaluate the motor needs of individual students to determine their need for services. APE can be modified accommodate children with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities.They work with clients to improve physical fitness, gross motor skills, perceptual motor skills, or sports and game achievement. APE lesson plans incorporate a fun learning environment while improving the functional abilities or needs of students through individual or small groups instruction. Our APE teachers communicate student progress reports with the student’s parents and teachers to ensure the team is focused on enhancing the student’s performance, social growth, and physical development. They will assess the student’s physical and perceptual motor needs, progress, and expectations to develop specialized equipment, goals and objectives to improve the student’s motor skills. Students will develop leadership skills, teamwork, responsibility and social skills in a safe and optimal learning environment.