Pediatric Physical Therapy

Infant & Pediatric
Physical Therapy

When your child struggles to reach a motor milestone, or when an injury sidelines them from the activities they love, it can feel overwhelming. Our physical therapists work with infants, children, and teens to build the strength, coordination, and confidence they need to move well and feel good doing it. Whether it's a baby learning to hold their head up or a teenager getting back on the field, we're here for all of it.

Book an Evaluation (201) 509-8205
What We Do

What Is Pediatric
Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapy is about helping kids move better. That can mean a lot of different things depending on your child's age and situation -- for an infant, it might be working on head control or rolling over. For a school-age child, it could be building the balance and coordination to keep up on the playground. The goal is always the same: helping your child participate fully in the activities that matter to them.

Our physical therapists at Speech Therapy Plus have advanced training in infant and pediatric care, including early intervention for newborns. Every child does develop on their own timeline, and we respect that. But when something isn't quite right, getting an early start on therapy genuinely matters -- it can change the trajectory of how a child moves and grows.

We also don't work in a silo. Our PT team coordinates closely with our occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and your child's doctors -- pediatricians, orthopedists, neurologists, whoever is involved. And we make sure you have the tools to keep things moving at home, with exercises and positioning strategies that fit into your daily routine.

A child working with a physical therapist during a therapy session

Who We Work With

  • Newborns & Infants — Torticollis, plagiocephaly, early milestone support, and tummy time guidance
  • Toddlers & Preschoolers — Late walking, balance and coordination, toe-walking, building movement confidence
  • School-Age Children — Sports readiness, neuromuscular conditions, orthopedic concerns, gait training
  • Adolescents — Sports injury rehabilitation, post-surgical recovery, scoliosis management
What We Treat

Conditions We Treat

Movement challenges show up in many ways. Here are some of the conditions we see most often and how we approach them.

Gross Motor Development Delays

If your child isn't rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking within typical timeframes, that's worth looking into. We use play-based exercises and hands-on techniques to help them build the strength and skills for each next step -- always working at a pace that feels right for your child.

Torticollis

You might notice your baby's head always tilting the same direction -- that's often torticollis, a tightness in the neck muscles. With gentle stretching, positioning strategies, and guidance on tummy time and carrying, most babies respond really well. The earlier we start, the faster things tend to improve.

Plagiocephaly

A flat spot on your baby's head can develop from positional preferences or alongside torticollis. We address the muscle tightness and movement habits that contribute to the asymmetry, and teach you repositioning and tummy time techniques you can use at home every day.

Neuromuscular Conditions

For children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, and other neurological or genetic conditions, physical therapy is often a long-term part of their care. Our focus is on helping your child move as independently as possible, staying ahead of complications, and making sure they can take part in the things that matter to them.

Gait Abnormalities & Toe-Walking

Toe-walking, in-toeing, out-toeing -- these patterns are more common than you might think. We figure out what's driving the gait pattern, then work on stretching, strengthening, and retraining how your child walks. When orthotics could help, we'll recommend those too.

Coordination & Balance

Some kids just seem to trip over everything, or they struggle with things like bike riding, climbing, or keeping up in gym class. Often it comes down to core strength, body awareness, or motor planning. We work on all of that through exercises that are structured but still feel like play.

Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Sprains, strains, fractures, growth plate injuries, overuse -- young athletes get hurt, and recovering the right way matters. We help kids get back to their sport with full strength and confidence, and we make sure families understand what they can do to prevent the next injury.

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

After surgery, kids need careful, guided rehabilitation. We stay in close contact with your child's surgeon, follow their post-operative protocols, and walk your family through each phase of recovery. The goal is always restoring function and strength safely -- no shortcuts.

Orthopedic & Sensory-Motor Conditions

Scoliosis, limb length differences, joint hypermobility, sensory-motor challenges -- these conditions each affect how a child moves and feels in their body. We use proven techniques to improve alignment and stability, while also addressing the sensory factors that play into how well a child can control their movements.

How We Help

Our Approach

1

Thorough Evaluation

We start by really getting to know your child. That means standardized developmental testing, checking range of motion and strength, watching how they move, and listening carefully to what you've been noticing at home. We also talk with your child's doctor to make sure we have the full picture.

2

A Plan That Fits Your Child

From the evaluation, we build a treatment plan with clear goals you can actually track. Sessions include hands-on therapy, exercises, balance work, and activities that keep your child engaged. We adjust as we go -- what works at month one may look different by month three, and that's by design.

3

Your Role at Home

Therapy doesn't stop when the session ends. We give you a home program that actually fits into your life -- exercises, positioning tips, and activity ideas that reinforce what we're working on. We also coordinate with your child's school and other providers so everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Signs Your Child May Need Physical Therapy

You know your child best. If something feels off, trust that instinct. These are some of the things parents commonly notice before reaching out to us.

Their head always tilts or turns to the same side
They're not rolling, sitting, or crawling when you'd expect
They're 18 months or older and not yet walking on their own
They walk on their toes most or all of the time
They fall a lot more than other kids their age
They can't keep up physically with kids their age
You've noticed a flat spot on their head
They complain of pain during sports or active play
Any of these sound familiar? Reach out for an evaluation -- it never hurts to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions we hear from parents all the time

As early as the first weeks of life. For conditions like torticollis and plagiocephaly, starting in the first few months makes a real difference in how quickly and fully babies respond. Our therapists are specially trained to work with infants, and everything we do at this age is gentle and carefully scaled to your baby's needs.
Torticollis happens when the neck muscles on one side are tight or shortened, so your baby's head tilts one way and turns the other. It's actually quite common. Treatment involves gentle stretching, strengthening, and teaching you positioning and carrying techniques that help throughout the day. The good news is that most babies improve significantly with therapy, especially when we catch it early.
There's a wide range of normal -- most kids take their first steps somewhere between 9 and 15 months. But if your child isn't walking by 18 months, that's a good reason to have them evaluated. Same goes if they weren't sitting on their own by 9 months or pulling up to stand by 12 months. An evaluation doesn't mean something is necessarily wrong; it just gives you a clear picture of where things stand.
In New Jersey, yes -- you'll generally need a referral or prescription from your child's pediatrician. If you're not sure how to get started, just call our office. We walk families through this process all the time and can help you figure out the referral and check on your insurance coverage.
Absolutely -- physical therapy is usually the first thing to try. We'll look at what's behind the toe-walking, whether that's tight calf muscles, sensory processing factors, or something neurological. From there, treatment usually includes stretching, strengthening, balance work, and gait training. Sometimes we'll recommend orthotics as well. Starting sooner rather than later helps prevent the secondary problems that can develop over time.
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Schedule a Physical Therapy Evaluation

If you have concerns about how your baby or child is moving, an evaluation is a great first step. We'll give you honest answers and a clear plan. No pressure -- just the information you need to feel confident about what comes next.

Book an Evaluation Call (201) 509-8205