Physical Therapy at Easter Seals addresses a wide range of developmental gross motor delays (e.g. walking, climbing stairs), positioning and mobility needs. Therapy may target improved muscle tone or increased range-of-motion for functional, independent motor skills. When a child receives physical therapy at Easter Seals, the therapist will also assist with referrals for orthotics/braces, wheelchair fittings, and otrher orthopedic concerns. PT provides additional specialty care such as treatment of torticollis and brachial plexus injuries, aquatic therapy, and neuro-developmental treatment.
Physical Therapy Staff:
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Stasia Tapley,
Physical Therapist
Stasia
has worked as a pediatric therapist in the Birmingham area for over 15 years. She received her degree in Physical Therapy from the University of South Alabama. She is registered and licensed by the Alabama State Board of Physical Therapy. Stasia has experience in treating a wide range of gross motor needs including orthopedics, neuro-developmental disorders, torticollis, and brachial plexus injuries. She also provides aquatic therapy. |
Our Physical Therapist Specializes in the following:
Developmental Delay
Though children are unique in many aspects, including their looks, personalities, likes and dislikes, most children develop gross motor skills in a similar sequence and within a similar time frame. For example, typical children begin rolling at 3-5 months, start sitting independently around 4-6 months, begin crawling at 6-8 months, and start walking independently around 1 year of age. Each child has his/her own timeline for gross motor development and may vary both with the time frame for developing a skill and with the sequence of skills. However, some children fall behind with their gross motor development, and exhibit "developmental delay." Developmental delay may be caused by any number of conditions or diseases or may have no known underlying cause at all.
Often children with neuromuscular disorders like Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, or Muscular Dystrophy, and children with genetic disorders (like Down Syndrome, Dandy Walker Syndrome, Jeunes Syndrome, or Joubert Syndrome) may present with delayed gross motor skills. In addition, children that are recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may need assistance relearning or progressing with age-appropriate skills. Typical children also may be delayed in meeting age-appropriate gross motor milestones. The goal of physical therapy at Pediatric Rehab, with all children, is to facilitate development of needed gross motor skills, and to help the children reach their highest potential. Treatment may include a variety of techniques to encourage and motivate the child while educating the parents on ways to foster gross motor development in the home environment. The gross motor development of some children with neurological or genetic disorders may be affected by the child's muscle tone. A child with hypertonia (increased muscle tone) may need techniques and positioning designed to encourage relaxation before working on gross motor skills. Conversely, a child with hypotonia (decreased muscle tone) may require techniques to encourage increased muscle tone in order to crawl, walk and run. The therapist may also teach a child to use an assistive device (i.e., walker, canes, crutches) or recommend braces/orthotics that may improve or encourage a child's standing or walking. A physical therapist at Pediatric Rehab can determine if a child has a gross motor delay and can provide age-appropriate activities, positioning, and other ideas to facilitate gross motor development.
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Torticollis
Torticollis is a condition where one of the sternocleidomastoid muscles (neck muscle that attaches from the jaw to the collar bone) has increased tightness, which prevents the baby from attaining or maintaining a neutral head position. In other words, the baby usually has a head tilt with the ear tilting toward the shoulder or with the chin turned toward the opposite shoulder. The head tilt or rotation is most noticeable when the baby is lying on its back or when the baby is held in supported sitting. Torticollis is usually detected within the first few months of life, and the infant may or may not have a soft lump in the muscle. The exact cause for torticollis has not yet been determined. Babies with torticollis sometimes exhibit developmental delay and/or decreased use of one or both arms.
Physical therapy is commonly recommended as a conservative treatment for torticollis. Treatment usually consists of massage, stretching, range of motion, strengthening, and parental education regarding a home program utilizing these same techniques. The infant is also monitored for age-appropriate gross motor development and for symmetrical upper extremity use. A physical therapist at Pediatric Rehab can provide treatment for and education regarding torticollis.
Orthopedic Conditions /Sports Injuries
Many children experience broken bones, sprains and other injuries in their daily life as well as in the sports arena. Other children may require orthopedic surgery as a result of a neuromuscular or genetic disorder. For example, children with Cerebral Palsy may undergo an orthopedic surgery and may require rehabilitation after the procedure. The children might also participate in different types of spasticity (increased muscle tone) management (i.e., Botox injections, Baclofen pump, serial casting, etc.) and require treatment following these procedures. Easter Seals' physical therapist can provide rehabilitation for these and for other orthopedic conditions. The rehabilitation may include strengthening, stretching and endurance training as well as the development of a home program. At Easter Seals, the physical therapist can also evaluate the child for and can recommend appropriate assistive devices, such as walkers, canes, and crutches and can train the child in proper use of the device.
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Other Information:
· In Alabama, a physician's referral is required in order to be evaluated by a physical therapist.
· Physical therapy evaluations generally last about one hour and treatment sessions typically are scheduled for 30 minutes.
· Children should wear loose, comfortable clothing for therapy visits.
· Frequency of visits varies from child to child; some children are seen 1-2 times a week, and others are seen 1-2 times a month.
· The therapists at Easter Seals work in cooperation with the child's school therapist(s) in order to best serve the child and family.
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