Pediatric Rehabilitation
Helping Your Child Move, Grow, and Explore
The first years of life are full of important changes — from lifting the head and reaching for toys to sitting, crawling, and taking first steps. When your child needs extra support, pediatric physical therapy can help build the movement skills they use to explore their world.
Community Memorial’s outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation program serves infants and young children from birth through age 3. Our team works with you to understand your child’s needs and support their development through personalized care.
Who Can Benefit From Pediatric Rehabilitation?
Your child’s pediatrician, specialist, or family medicine provider may recommend physical therapy for:
- Neck tightness or limited neck movement Sometimes called torticollis, this may cause your baby to tilt their head or prefer looking in one direction.
- Flat spots on the head Flattening on one side or across the back of the head, called plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, may occur along with difficulty turning the head or changing positions.
- Muscle or joint concerns that affect feeding Tightness or limited movement may make it harder for your baby to get into a comfortable position for breast or bottle feeding.
- Delays in movement skills Your child may need support with skills such as head control, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, or walking.
- Differences in muscle tone or movement Muscles that seem unusually stiff or floppy, or difficulty controlling movement, may affect how your child plays and moves.
- Developmental needs after a premature birth or hospital stay Babies born early, those who have had an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), or children with complex medical needs may benefit from additional support.
If you have concerns about how your child moves or develops, talk with their doctor. They can help determine whether a rehabilitation evaluation is appropriate.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Pediatric physical therapy focuses on helping children move more comfortably and develop skills for everyday activities. Depending on your child’s needs, therapy may help:
- Improve head and neck movement and positioning for feeding
- Build strength, balance, and coordination
- Encourage movement on both sides of the body
- Support progress toward movement milestones
- Improve positioning for play, daily care, and feeding when muscle or joint concerns are involved
Addressing concerns early can help your child practice new skills during an important stage of development. Each child’s goals and progress will be different.
What to Expect
Care begins with an evaluation of your child’s movement and physical development. Your therapist will review your child’s health history, listen to your concerns, and develop a treatment plan based on their needs.
Treatment may include gentle exercises, hands-on care, and play activities suited to your child’s age and abilities. You are an important part of the process. Your therapist can show you ways to support your child’s movement and practice skills during everyday routines at home.
Getting Started
A referral from a pediatrician, pediatric specialist, or Family Medicine provider is required for all children, regardless of insurance type. Talk with your child’s provider about your concerns and ask whether pediatric rehabilitation could help.
This program is currently available only at the Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura outpatient rehabilitation location.
Call to learn more about our Pediatric Rehabilitation services.
Phone: 805-948-5063
Fax: 805-948-5663
If you are a Community Memorial provider, please enter the referral as
an internal order and not external.
