October is National Physical Therapy Month
When you think of physical therapy, you might think of people who work with athletes, helping them return to their sport after injury. Physical therapy is so much more than that! In many schools, there are physical therapists working with a number of students to help them to be as independent as possible.
What is a Pediatric Physical Therapist?
Pediatric physical therapists work with children and their families to assist each child in reaching their maximum potential to function independently and to promote active participation in the school environments. Physical therapists use their expertise in movement and apply clinical reasoning through the process of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention. Pediatric physical therapy promotes independence, increases participation, facilitates motor development and function, improves strength and endurance, enhances learning opportunities, and eases challenges with daily caregiving (APTA Pediatric Section).
So what does this mean for students receiving Physical Therapy? My job is to help my students gain independence in the school environment. This includes being able to safely walk throughout the building, go up and down stairs, keep up with their friends during gym and recess, and play safely on the playground.
In the coming months this site will be updated with information on a variety of topics related to physical therapy and movement activities. There are many ways to encourage your student to get moving at home, even if their favorite activity is playing video games.
~ Jamie Fugowski, DPT
Resources to help get your students moving at home:
- Go Noodle: This website has a variety of movement activities and brain breaks to get your students up and moving. This can be used as an alternative to outdoor play when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
- The Inspired Treehouse: This blog is written by a Pediatric Physical Therapist. She has tons of great activities, many of which can be done using items that are already in your home.
- President's Council on Health, Fitness and Nutrition: This site provides a number of ways to incorporate movement and exercise into routines your family might already have.