Here are some warning signs that might mean your child needs to see a physical therapist.
In a way, every child has their own particular needs, which is why gas a parent are vigilant to make sure that they get the right care as they develop and grow over the years. But one area that is often overlooked for children is physical therapy. Many people make the mistake of assuming that, since children are so young, they don’t have any physical issues that they won’t eventually grow out of. However, if your child is having a problem that needs to be addressed by a physical therapist, then it’s better to catch it early and avoid it getting worse as they get older. Here are some warning signs that might mean your child needs to see a physical therapist.
Bad Posture
You probably remember when you were growing up how much your parents or other adults scolded you to sit up straight and not to slouch. Although slouching could be a sign of boredom or a bad attitude, if you find that your child is slouching all the time, then it could mean that their posture needs to be corrected by a physical therapist. A physical therapist will be able to tell if your child has an issue with their back or spine or if they simply need some exercises to strengthen their core muscles. Either way, bad posture isn’t something that can always be fixed simply by changing bad habits.
Tip-Toe Walking
If you’ve seen your child walking around on their tiptoes all the time, then you might’ve thought it was just a quirk. But there are a lot of physical issues that your child could be unconsciously trying to compensate for by walking on their toes, from weak core muscles to an impaired sense of balance. Walking on tip-toe is one of those things that many parents make the mistake of overlooking or assuming a child will grow out of. But it’s best to ask your child’s doctor before you jump to any conclusions, especially if you know that your child has a vestibular issue or another problem affecting their balance.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.