Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

"Developing Skills for Life"

We strive each day to live the Children’s of Alabama values by:

• Showing each child and family compassion. We truly care about children and will do all we can to provide services that will be meaningful for your child and family.
• Earning your trust as we share information and skills in order to help your child
• Providing innovative services utilizing the latest techniques and technology available
• Working as a team with families to identify needs, develop programs, provide therapy services, and coordinate with other professionals serving each child
• Being committed to providing excellent PT and OT services

Our PT and OT services are designed to support children and their families in order to:

• Promote independence and participation in daily activities and routines in the home, school, and community
• Develop motor/movement skills and function
• Enhance learning opportunities
• Ease care-giving
• Promote health and wellness

PT and OT services begin with:

• Referral from a physician
• Information sharing/intake including history and family concerns
• Evaluation by the therapist
• Development of a treatment plan by the therapist in collaboration with the family

Intervention strategies may include:

• Direct treatment
• Home programs
• Education of family members and other caregivers
• Selection and adaption of special equipment
• Collaboration with community resources

Re-evaluation occurs on a regular basis to assess progress and modify treatment plans and goals. Therapy will be discontinued when goals are met or children have reached the maximum benefit from services.

PT and OT are beneficial for children with the following conditions:

• Conditions requiring the use of special equipment (ex: walkers, wheelchairs, braces, splints, prosthetics)
• Delayed development
• Difficulty with fine motor skills (ex: drawing, cutting, writing, grasping)
• Difficulty with gross motor skills (ex: sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping)
• Difficulty with self-care skills (ex: feeding, dressing, grooming)
• History of premature birth
• Learning problems with reading, writing, computer skills, and school work
• Neurologic disorders (ex: cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy)
• Orthopedic injuries or conditions (ex: fracture, sprain, strain, dislocation, and postural defects)
• Pain resulting from illness or chronic conditions
• Sensory integration disorders and difficulties with sensory processing
• Traumatic injuries (ex: spinal cord injury, closed head injury, burns)
• Weakness or limited endurance due to illness or chronic conditions

Occupational Therapy – Skills for the Job of Living

Occupational Therapy helps children develop life skills that have been altered by accidents, disease or developmental disabilities. OT is aimed at developing or restoring:

• Dressing and grooming
• Feeding and swallowing
• Fine motor/hand skills
• Handwriting
• School related tasks
• Sensory processing/organization so that children can participate in everyday life.

Physical Therapy – Developing Movement Skills for Life

Physical Therapy is aimed at helping children overcome movement disorders so that they can participate more fully in life’s activities. PT is aimed at developing or restoring:

• Balance
• Coordination
• Endurance
• Flexibility
• Strength

so that gross motor skills and movement are more functional in the everyday lives of children.

PT & OT – Supporting Community Involvement

Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists assist with selecting, fitting, adapting and training children and families in the use of orthotics (splints), prosthetics (artificial limbs) and special equipment (walkers, crutches, wheelchairs) to compensate for difficulties with movement. PTs and OTs also modify exercises and activities for home, school and community enabling each child to participate more fully in life’s experiences.

Teamwork and Partnerships with Families

We believe that parents and families have the primary role in encouraging their child’s development. The therapists work in partnerships with families to develop treatment plans that address their needs and concerns. Personal information shared about each child allows us to individualize the services provided. In addition to our direct therapy services, we provide families with advocacy and assistance by:

• Communicating and coordinating with other providers
• Providing information regarding medical conditions and health care needs
• Teaching strategies for managing physical limitations and behavior during daily routines and activities
• Adapting toys and school materials
• Utilizing movement devices and equipment options
• Teaching safety for the home and community
• Teaching ways to support general health and wellness

Competent and Caring Staff

Our Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy staff is well-educated and committed to their work with children-from infants to adolescents and young adults. All of our professionals, therapists and assistants:

• Are licensed by the state board of Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy
• Have specialized training and experience in pediatrics
• Attend workshops and conferences each year to gain more knowledge and skills
• Strive to provide the best, most up-to-date evidence-based practice
• Are passionate about serving children and families to help them be all they can be
   

PT & OT Services

Main Campus: 205-638-9645
Russell: 10 Harbert Gym, and services on all inpatient units
3rd floor McWane: Inpatients in Dearth Tower and Behavioral Health, Outpatients in Rehab Day Treatment and general outpatient services
Driving Directions

Children's on 3rd: 
Children’s Outpatient Therapy Center
1208 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
205-638-6289
Driving Directions

Children's at Lakeshore
Children’s Outpatient Therapy Center
3600 Ridgeway Drive
Birmingham, AL 35209
205-778-5300
CBIT/program for Tourette’s Syndrome and Tic Disorders
Early Intervention Services
205-638-6820
Driving Directions

Referrals: 
Inpatient: Physician orders through i-Connect
Outpatient: Physician orders required
Referral for Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy (PDF)
(internal MD staff can also enter order PR and/or OT order and put on-hold then enter a Soarian appointment request in iconnect).
205-638-7527 (PT & OT Schedulers)