Pediatrics

Pediatrics

By: McKenzie Krakow

Goal of PediatricsHelp children ages 3-21 reach their

maximal functional level of independence

Settings

• Physical Therapists that specialize in Pediatrics work in a variety of different settings including:

• - schools• - homes• - communities• - child care centers• - preschools

Workers

Of the approximately 90,000 active Physical Therapist in the United States, three percent are employed by schools.

Salary• $26,200• Median salary of a PTA specializing in

Pediatrics in 2008• 28% increase from 2002 to 2008• Lowest income of all Physical

Therapy specialty groups.

Types of Patients

• A toddler recovering from serious burns that develops ongoing heath problems that make it difficult for him to walk and to use his hand during play

• A teenager that suffers from cerebral palsy that needs to learn job skills that include: good posture, being able to sit for long periods of time, and head control

Training

Pediatric Physical Therapists have a specialty training in and a desire to work with children and families.

Assessment

The Physical Therapist assess the patient in many different areas some including:• Measure walking and other mobility skills• Daily activities such as dressing, and

toileting• Positioning and posture during classroom

learning• Joint mobility, muscle strength, limb and leg

circumference, and sensorimotor performance

In school settings

Physical Therapists usually work as a team with Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Special Education teachers, and other professionals.

Hospitals and Clinics

A child may also receive Pediatric Physical Therapy in hospitals and clinics when a child is receiving care for related medical conditions or during acute care episodes.

References

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Workforce_Salaries_and_Stats&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=455&ContentID=71469&DirectListComboInd=D

http://www.pediatricapta.org/consumer-patient-information/resources.cfm

http://www.personnelcenter.org/pdf/physicaltherap.pdf

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&biw=1362&bih=555&gbv=2&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=physical+therapy+pediatrics&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=physical+therapy+pedi&gs_rfai=