External Supports in Pediatric Therapy

I’m often asked by participants in my workshops to discuss external supports that I use to augment and extend my handling skills when treating the children in my pediatric physical therapy practice. We all learn tricks of the trade so to speak as we develop and refine our clinical skills throughout our professional careers. Over the years I’ve learned to utilize many supports that work very effectively to enhance a child’s functional ability Read more

Treating the School-age Child: Assessing and Gaining Spinal Mobility

By: Kristen Birkmeier, MSPT

Checking spinal mobility with a 13 year old child with CP spastic quadriplegia in the school environment…. Utilizing a bolster that allows the child to sit with hips and knees flexed at 90 degrees is very helpful in that the equipment will fully support the child’s weight while you assess their spinal flexion curve by having Read more

The Importance of Teamwork in Treating the Pediatric Patient Part 2

Last month I wrote about the importance of teamwork when working with a pediatric patient. I would like to expand upon those thoughts to further explain the importance of teamwork as we work together to optimize a child’s functional outcome. Over many years of clinical practice treating infants and children with cerebral palsy and other neuromotor dysfunction, I’ve come to the conclusion that in Read more

The Importance of Team-work in Treating the Pediatric Patient

By Kristen Birkmeier, MSPT
September 2009

The beauty of the NDT approach for me has always been the common sense and practical approach to assessment and treatment.

NDT provides us with a rational framework for identifying the sensorimotor impairments that each child demonstrates, tying these impairments to the child’s functional limitations, and designing specific treatment strategies to effectively address the child’s impairments in order to effect positive functional outcomes.

Learning to utilize this analytical process enables you to break down what often appears to be a challenging and overwhelming Read more

Hands-On Teamwork in Treating Pediatric Patients

By Kristen Birkmeier, MSPT The beauty of the NDT approach for me has always been the common sense and practical approach to assessment and treatment. NDT provides us with a rational framework for identifying the sensorimotor impairments that each child demonstrates, tying these impairments to the child’s functional limitations, and designing specific treatment strategies to effectively address the child’s impairments in order to effect Read more

How To Improve Shoulder Girdle Mobility

Pediatric Therapist, Kristen Birkmeier demonstrates how to properly lengthen the musculature in the shoulder girdle for improved mobility at the Pediatric Therapy Training Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana in August 2009. This is one of the active, hands-on labs she conducts for therapists during the conference.

Is My Baby Alright?

How do you know if your baby is progressing age-appropriately in their developmental skills? And what can you do if you have concerns and feel that you need help for your baby? The following checklist was developed to help you identify any developmental areas of concern you might have regarding your baby, and to be used as a starting point in discussing your concerns with your baby’s pediatrician. If your baby needs help, there are pediatric therapists working in your local Early Intervention Program who are ready to help. These professionals work with babies and toddlers from birth to three years of age. Ask your pediatrician to refer you to the EI Program so that you and your baby can get the help you need as soon as possible.

Developmental Checklist

Four to six months: Can or does your baby…[more]

• hold their head up and take weight on

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Facilitating a child from lower to higher postures

Facilitating a  child from side sit to tall kneel and up to stand at a support surface takes a little practice, but is really quite easy to do.

When To Use Infant Walkers

I am often asked my opinion, both by clinicians and parents, regarding the use of infant walkers.  Most likely the parents have been told by the infant’s pediatrician that they should not use an infant walker, and the parents are seeking a second opinion.  This is how I typically answer the question: BabyWalkerI do not recommend use of infant walkers for babies until they are able to Read more

How to Use Therapy Balls in Your Pediatric Practice

Most pediatric therapists utilize movable surfaces in their pediatric practice, whether they work in the home, school, clinic or hospital setting. The purpose of doing so is to provide the child with postural input that allows them to develop the ready muscle state and balance responses needed to perform daily functional activities. There are many options available, but the most common include Read more

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