Pediatric Physical Therapy | Occupational Therapy | MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital

Prior to the evaluation

Parents complete a questionnaire regarding their concerns and the child's medical, developmental and educational history. We will request medical information from the child's pediatrician, and may also request information from other medical or educational professionals who have evaluated the child.

During the evaluation 

Your child's medical, developmental, and educational history is carefully reviewed. Parents are interviewed regarding their concerns and the child's history. This information helps the speech-language pathologists identify areas to evaluate more closely. A variety of methods, including formal and informal tests, observation, parent/caregiver interview, and play-based activities will be used to evaluate your child's speech, language, cognition and voice. Selection of testing methods is based on your child's individual needs. Parents are encouraged to observe during the evaluation.

Following the evaluation 

Initial results of the evaluation and recommendations are reviewed with you (and your child if age appropriate). A written report detailing evaluation results will be mailed to your home and to your child's physician (if requested).

What is a treatment plan? 

A treatment plan is an individualized plan created by the speech-language pathologists to address your child's speech, language, cognitive, and/or voice needs. The plan may include:

• Recommendations for therapy or re-screening/re-evaluation at a later time
• Initial goals to address during therapy
• Referrals to other professionals (i.e., audiologist, medical specialist, occupational/physical therapist, etc.)
• Referral to other community services, such as an early intervention program
• Suggestions for parents/caregivers and educators

Speech and language disorders can affect the way children talk, understand, analyze or process information. Speech disorders include the clarity, voice quality, and fluency of a child's spoken words. Language disorders include a child's ability to hold meaningful conversations, understand others, problem solve, read and comprehend, and express thoughts through spoken or written words.

Our speech-language pathologists work with children from infancy to adolescence. If you are concerned about your child's communication skills, please call to find out if your child should be seen for a communication evaluation and/or consultation. Services include:

• Treatment for speech and language delays and disorders
• Augmentative communication (both high- and low-tech)
• Pediatric feeding and swallowing
• Autism – with a focus on language for "relational development" as well as functional communication
• Cerebral palsy and other neurogenic disorders
• Traumatic head injury
• Voice disorders
• Hearing loss/audiology

Pediatric physical therapy promotes independence, increases participation, facilitates motor development and function, improves strength, enhances learning opportunities and eases care giving.   

Pediatric physical therapists work to help children reach their maximum potential for functional independence through examination, evaluation, promotion of health and wellness and implementation of a wide variety of interventions and supports. Pediatric PTs support children from infancy through adolescence and collaborate with their families and other medical, educational, developmental and rehabilitation specialists. They facilitate the participation of children in daily activities and routines in the home, school and community. 

Parents and families have the primary role in their child’s development. The pediatric physical therapist collaborates with the family to implement an individualized program for the child. Families are supported through coordination of services, advocacy and assistance to enhance the development of their child through: 

• Gait analysis and treatment for gait disorders
• Pediatric casting clinic
• Positioning during daily routines and activities
• Adapting toys for play
• Expanding mobility options
• Using adaptive equipment effectively
• Teaching safety for the home and community 
• Providing information on the child’s physical and health care needs
• Easing transitions from early childhood to school and into adult life
• Rehabilitation after injury or surgery
• Neonatal care after prematurity to guide motor development 

The process of supporting children and families begins with an interview to identify the child’s needs and continues with an examination and evaluation of the child in the context of their daily routines and activities. This evaluation may include, but not be limited to, muscle and joint function, mobility, strength and endurance, cardiopulmonary status, posture and balance, oral motor skills and feeding, sensory and neuromotor development, and use of assistive technology.  

The process of providing pediatric physical therapy continues with collaboration, coaching, and therapeutic interventions. Children and families also may have contact with pediatric physical therapists in hospitals and clinics when receiving care for related medical conditions or during episodes of acute care. 

Occupational therapists help children gain the skills they need to play, learn and socialize. Occupational therapy (OT) can help children overcome cognitive, physical, behavioral and environmental barriers such as:

• Difficulty or avoidance of coloring, writing or small toy play
• Fatigues easily, appears weak, is sedentary or has poor posture
• Difficulty holding a pencil, staying in the lines, tracing, copying or coloring
• Easily distracted or overwhelmed
• Struggles with self control, easily overwhelmed, bites, kicks or fights with others
• Feeling bad about him/herself, social skill issues, appearing anxious or frequent crying
• Difficulty bringing food to mouth, limited diet, gags trying new textures or refuses textures
• Difficulty tolerating clothing textures, challenges with self care or toilet training issues
• Difficulty with purposeful play
• Problem solving concerns, poor memory, organization issues or difficulty following directions
• Limited movement, rigidity or pain
• Difficulty processing sounds, touch, textures or smells
• Over/under responds to pain or difficulty calming self
• Difficulty with copying from chalkboard, letter recognition or finding items

A variety of treatments are used including:

• Working on fine motor skills
• Strength/endurance training
• Handwriting activities
• Activities addressing attention issues and behavioral concerns
• Eating/feeding activities
• Dressing/bathing activities
• Cognitive processing training
• Concussion management
• Reflex integration

We offer aquatic therapy in the therapy pool at the Penobscot Bay YMCA

• Physical therapists use the properties of water, combined with activities and exercises specifically catered to the patient to offer strengthening with minimal impact, a safe sensory environment and restoration to assist children in maintaining their functional mobility and ability.
• We treat children with acute, transient or chronic conditions.

Benefits of aquatic therapy include:

• improved muscle strength and tone,
• increased cardiovascular health and function,
• reduced stress,
• decreased swelling,
• improved circulation, and
• increased endurance and flexibility