children

Increasing Physical Activity with Toddlers
Toddlers need to move to develop physically and mentally. #EncoreRehab Cullman Pediatric Team can help you with the physical development of your child.

At Encore Rehabilitation, we LOVE to see you move! And that includes helping our young friends! Toddlers need movement to help grow and develop not only physically but also mentally.

Here are 5 ways to include movement into the day! **

  1. Laundry time – have small children help push a laundry basket to their room.
  2. Couch time – have young children walk along the edge of the couch. Place toys towards the back of the couch to encourage stretching and reaching.
  3. Garden time – holding a water hose or exploring the dirt with a spoon encourages movement while a child is also learning about the sights and sounds of outside.
  4. Family time – hold a dance party and explore movement and sounds. Play songs or games involving movement.
  5. Errands – allow children to walk part of the time while shopping instead of spending all of their time in a stroller or shopping cart.

Want to know? Contact us if you have questions regarding your child and movement. We are movement experts!

Encore Rehabilitation-Cullman
1701 Main Avenue SW, Suite G
Cullman, Alabama 35055
256-775-3737
Find Encore Rehabilitation-Cullman on Facebook by clicking here

encorerehab.com

**These suggestions are from the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Early Intervention Special Interest Groups. Read the entire article here, as well as recommendations of physical activity by age at https://www.choosept.com/resources/detail/five-ways-to-increase-physical-activity-infants-to?fbclid=IwAR0p85LFZI5UDpXiGEijKR-RK78DWQUC8Vh0HwiM9dtvL4wvH87qFYucezM

Pediatric Physical Therapy: Specialized Services and Treatments for Children Under 18.

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“Doctors often recommend Pediatric Physical Therapy for children and teens who have been injured or who have movement problems from an illness, disease, or disability. Physical therapists work to decrease pain and help the child return to their daily activities. They also teach children exercises designed to help them regain strength and range of motion, and also show them and families how to prevent future injuries.” (Kids Health,  June 2014).

Doctors will often recommend PT for children with:

    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Spinal Cord Injuries
    • Traumatic Brain Injuries
    • Spina Bifida
    • Brachial Plexopathy
    • Pediatric Cancer
    • Socialization Skills
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder
    • Developmental Delay
    • Down Syndrome
    • Feeding Problems
    • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
    • Gait Abnormalities
    • Hydrocephalus Muscular Dystrophy
    • Pediatric Medical Syndromes
    • Pediatric Neurologic Disorders
    • Premature Birth
    • Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Seizure Disorders
    • Sensory Processing Difficulty
    • Torticollis/Plagiocephaly
    • Vision/Hearing Deficits
    • Sports Injuries

Advanced Specialization Training

  • Astronaut Training Protocol
  • Beckman Oral Motor Program
  • Contemporary Neurodevelopmental Treatment
  • Sequential-Oral-Sensory Approach to Feeding Program
  • Comprehensive Program in Sensory Integration including Administration of Sensory Integration & Praxis Test (SIPT)
  • VitalStim

What Pediatric Physical Therapists Do

At our two Pediatric Therapy Clinics located in Ocean Springs and Pascagoula MS, our therapists use a variety of treatments to help build strength, improve movement, and strengthen skills needed to complete daily activities.

Physical Therapy

  • Gross Motor Development/ Conditioning Activities
  • Neuromuscular Retraining Aquatic Therapy
  • Movement Skills/ Function
  • Balance/ Gait Training
  • Coordination Skills
  • Standardized Testing of Motor Abilities
  • Assistance with Positioning & Mobility Equipment
  • Orthotic Recommendations
  • Power Wheelchair Assessment & Training

Speech-Language Therapy

  • Language Therapy
  • Articulation Therapy
  • Dysphagia Therapy
  • Oral Motor Therapy
  • Assistive Technology
  • Fluency and Voice Therapy

Occupational Therapy

  • Handwriting & Fine Motor Skill Training
  • Assistance with Activities of Daily Living
  • Sensory Integration Therapy
  • Aquatic Therapy
  • Custom Splinting for Neurologic Conditions
  • Cognitive Retraining
  • Constraint Casting & Treatment
  • Neuromuscular Retraining
  • Training with Adaptive Equipment
  • Standardized Testing of Motor Abilities

Two of our Locations that offer all of the specialized Pediatric Therapy Treatments and Services are located below:

Ocean Springs Pediatric Rehab

#2 Doctor’s Drive  Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Phone: (228) 818-1211  •  Fax: (228) 818-1213

Pascagoula Medical Park

3101 Denny Ave, Suite 120,  Pascagoula, MS 39568

Phone: (228) 471-1520  •  Fax: (228) 471-1525

Encore Rehabilitation of Cullman

1701 Main Ave SW  Cullman, AL 35055
Phone: (256) 775-3737

“How do I know if I have a Concussion?” – Signs and Symptoms of concussions in adults and children.

At the ATC conventions many of the topics are around concussions; “how do you properly diagnose an athlete with a concussion?” “What are the signs and symptoms?” We wanted to help inform athletes, parents, and coaches on what exactly a concussion entails and what to do if you think you have one. Below are two lists, one for adults and one for children, that will help you be able to recognize the signs of a concussion.  If you have signs of a concussion, please see a doctor immediately for further instruction and proper procedures. 

*These two lists can be found at WebMD.com and MayoClinic.org.

“It is not always easy to know if someone has a concussion. You don’t have to pass out (lose consciousness) to have a concussion. Symptoms of a concussion range from mild to severe and can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months. If you notice any symptoms of a concussion, contact your doctor.” – WebMD

Symptoms of a concussion fit into four main categories:

  • Thinking and remembering
    • Not thinking clearly
    • Temporary loss of consciousness
    • Feeling slowed down
    • Not being able to concentrate
    • Not being able to remember new information
    • Delayed response to questions*
    • Slurred speech*
  • Physical
    • Headache or feeling of pressure of the head
    • Fuzzy or blurry vision
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Dizziness
    • Ringing in the ears
    • Sensitivity to light or noise
    • Balance problems
    • Feeling tired or having no energy
  • Emotional and mood
    • Easily upset or angered
    • Sad
    • Nervous or anxious
    • More emotional
  • Sleep
    • Sleeping more than usual
    • Sleeping less than usual
    • Having a hard time falling asleep

Symptoms in Young children:

  • Crying more than usual.
  • Headache that does not go away.
  • Changes in the way they play or act.
  • Changes in the way they nurse, eat, or sleep.
  • Being upset easily or having more temper tantrums.
  • A sad mood.
  • Appearing dazed
  • Lack of interest in their usual activities or favorite toys.
  • Loss of new skills, such as toilet training.
  • Loss of balance and trouble walking.
  • Not being able to pay attention.

Sources:

 “Concussion – Overview.” . Healthwise, Incorporated, 29 Nov. 2011. Web. 25 June 2014. <http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/traumatic-brain-injury-concussion-overview&gt;.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Concussion Symptoms.” . N.p., 2 Apr. 2014. Web. 25 June 2014. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/basics/symptoms/con-20019272&gt;.