All physical therapists are qualified through higher education, clinical experience, and licensure to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of symptoms and conditions. Many choose to focus their practice on a specific area or patient group and obtain advanced knowledge and experience in physical therapy specialty areas.Some attend residency programs, obtain board-certification, or go on to participate in fellowship programs. Learn more about these advanced learning pathways in physical therapy specialty areas.
Pediatric physical therapists provide care and treatment for children of all abilities (from birth to 21 years) and those with traumatic, developmental, and systemic disorders. They work with children and their families to promote a child's ability to function independently and participate actively in home, school, and community environments. These services are provided in homes, schools, communities, hospitals, and clinics.
Pediatric physical therapy benefits children and their families and caregivers by:
- Promoting independence and the ability to take part in everyday routines.
- Increasing participation.
- Facilitating motor development and function.
- Enhancing learning opportunities.
- Improving strength and endurance for everyday activities or sports.
- Helping children reach developmental milestones and promoting mobility.
- Easing the challenges of daily caregiving.
In addition, pediatric physical therapists promote health and fitness for children. They provide information to — and work together with — families and other health care and education specialists. Pediatric physical therapists provide treatment and services for children to help manage conditions, such as:
- Developmental delay.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Spina bifida.
- Down syndrome and other genetic disorders.
- Neuromuscular disorders (such as muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and others) .
- Orthopedic conditions or injuries.
- Pulmonary disorders.
- Brain injury.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
- Burns or other injuries.
- Autism spectrum disorders.
Looking for a physical therapist who focuses on or specializes in pediatric physical therapy or who is experienced in treating children? The American Physical Therapy Association provides Find a PT to help you search for a physical therapist with these and other credentials near you.
Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can see a physical therapist without a physician's referral for evaluation and treatment.*
Learn about board certification in pediatric physical therapy.
*Insurance and corporate policies or state laws may still require a physician's referral or limit treatment scope and duration without a referral. Insurance policies also may limit you to in-network providers.
