Pediatric Therapy

Early intervention pediatric therapy services can make a world of difference for your child. Using play-based techniques, Banner Health’s skilled pediatric therapy team helps your child learn and grow, helping them understand how to interact with others and function independently.

What Is Pediatric Therapy?

Pediatric therapy works by helping children develop, improve, or regain cognitive, physical and motor functions, which can boost their confidence and self-worth. 

Banner Health’s team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists deliver compassionate, comprehensive care using age-appropriate, play-based techniques. The goal of Banner's pediatric therapy program is to help your child heal and develop cognitively, physically and socially to enhance his or her well-being and ability to participate in activities. 

Who Can Benefit from Pediatric Therapy? 

Our pediatric therapists are trained to treat a variety of issues, including birth deformities, developmental delays, illnesses and injuries. Children with the following medical problems may benefit from pediatric therapy:

• Amputations
• Autism
• Birth defects
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Cancer
• Chronic illnesses 
• Developmental disorders or delays
• Hand injuries
• Head or spinal cord injuries 
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Learning disabilities
• Mental health or behavioral problems
• Post-surgical conditions
• Sensory processing disorders
• Spina bifida

In general, treatment may focus on improving: 

• Daily activities (eating, feeding, bathing, toileting)
• Standing, sitting, moving 
• Learning processes 
• Behavioral and social skills 

How Does Pediatric Therapy Work? 

The goal of pediatric therapy is to help children play, learn and function in developmentally appropriate ways. In addition to working on physical well-being, pediatric therapy also addresses psychological, social and environmental factors affecting a child’s ability to function.

Banner Children's Physical Therapy’s multidisciplinary team collaborates to ensure your child receives the best care possible. We thoroughly evaluate each patient and build an individualized, family-focused pediatric treatment plan that addresses his or her specific needs. This may include:

• Physical therapy: Develops strength, range of motion and mobility to improve a child’s ability to function independently and safely
• Occupational therapy: Develops appropriate and independent play, fine motor skills, sensory integration, visual motor skills, visual perceptual skills and self-help skills  
• Speech therapy: Treats disorders of articulation, language, fluency, voice, feeding and swallowing to help a child communicate effectively and safely
• Applied behavior analysis (ABA): Addresses issues with communication, social skills, self-control, cognition and learning. Often used in early intervention for autism
• Feeding dysfunction therapy: Addresses issues related to feeding and swallowing such as fussiness, refusing to eat/drink, coughing/gagging during meals, spitting up and not gaining weight

What to Expect from Pediatric Therapy

Our pediatric therapy team works with you to create a care plan based on your child’s individual needs. Our caring staff builds a relationship with you and your child to ensure he or she feels comfortable and thrives during treatment. 

In general, pediatric therapy services can be held at the location of your choice, such as at school or daycare. Banner Children's Physical Therapy also provides caregivers with the education, tools and resources they need to continue progress at home.