Before you arrive
Complete any intake forms the clinic sends you. Dress your child in comfortable clothes they can move in easily. Bring your insurance card, relevant paperwork, and questions you want to remember. If your child uses adaptive equipment, orthotics, or assistive devices, bring those too. If you are unsure whether you need a physician referral, call the clinic with your plan information.
Conversation with caregivers
Your therapist will ask about what brought you in, your child’s developmental history, current abilities and challenges, relevant medical history, and what you hope therapy can support. This conversation helps shape a plan that fits your family’s goals and your child’s needs. You choose how much detail to share; honest answers help create a useful plan.
How pediatric evaluation often looks
Pediatric evaluation is adapted to each child’s age, abilities, and comfort. Younger children are often assessed through play and functional activities. Older children may participate in more structured tasks. Your therapist may observe or assess:
- Strength and flexibility
- Balance and coordination
- Motor skills and movement patterns
- Functional tasks relevant to home, school, or play
Every child is different, and assessment findings do not guarantee any specific outcome. The evaluation provides a starting point for a plan tailored to your child’s abilities and goals.
Your role as a caregiver
Caregivers typically stay during pediatric therapy visits. Your presence helps your child feel comfortable and allows you to observe techniques, ask questions, and learn strategies you can practice at home. Your therapist will work with you as a partner in your child’s care.
After the evaluation
You and your therapist will review findings in language that makes sense to you and discuss a proposed plan. The plan may include exercises, balance training, motor-skill activities, and guidance with adaptive equipment, depending on your child’s needs. Visit frequency and duration vary; there is no single schedule that fits every child or family. You will also receive ideas for home practice to support progress between visits.
About pediatric physical therapy at PT 1stReasons families seek pediatric physical therapy
Physical therapy may support children with a range of needs. Care may support children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, or autism. It may also be appropriate during recovery from trauma, a sports-related injury, or surgery. Treatment is individualized and adapted to each child’s abilities and goals.
Pediatric physical therapy is educational and rehabilitative in nature. It does not guarantee specific outcomes, and it is not a cure for any condition. Your therapist will work with you to set realistic goals and adjust the plan as your child grows and changes.
Insurance and referrals
Many insurance plans cover pediatric physical therapy when medically necessary, but benefits, referral requirements, and authorization rules vary. PT 1st works with Medicare, Workers’ Compensation, and several other plans. Visit our insurance page for a full list of commonly accepted plans, or call us to verify your specific coverage before scheduling.