2. Goal of Pediatrics
Help children ages 3-21 reach their
maximal functional level of
independence
3. Settings
• Physical Therapists that specialize in
Pediatrics work in a variety of
different settings including:
• - schools
• - homes
• - communities
• - child care centers
• - preschools
4. Workers
Of the approximately 90,000 active
Physical Therapist in the United States,
three percent are employed by schools.
5. 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.
6. 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
8. 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
9. In school settings
Physical Therapists
usually work as a
team with
Occupational
Therapists, Speech
and Language
Pathologists, Special
Education teachers,
and other
professionals.
10. 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.