Kidz Motion is a family-oriented physical therapy practice dedicated to the quality care of your child.
Michele Wallace is the owner, founder and treating pediatric physical therapist at Kidz Motion, L.L.C.
What is pediatric physical therapy?
Pediatric physical therapy specializes in caring for children 0-21 years of age. Physical therapy techniques include functional training which is delivered through therapeutic activities and play. An individual, specialized treatment plan is designed for each child to treat conditions that may inhibit functional mobility so your child will eventually achieve his individual goals and reach his greatest potential.
I provide physical therapy to babies, toddlers, young children and adolescents. Therapy is provided to support children affected by developmental delays, birth and genetic defects, neurologic and orthopedic disorders and injury or illness. The area of focus is the child’s gross motor skills.
What are gross motor skills?
Gross motor skills is a broad term which includes performing larger movement activities such as walking, climbing, running, and jumping. It encompasses strengthening the upper and lower extremities and trunk, as well as improving mobility and flexibility. Coordination, balance and motor planning skills are also important components of gross motor skills.
Physical therapy for your child may focus on body positioning and alignment to help achieve appropriate gross motor skills. Adaptive equipment is used as needed to help a child achieve good posture and functional positions. Foot orthotics may help with your child’s gait pattern, balance, coordination and muscle tone. I can assist with obtaining adaptive equipment and foot orthotics.
What are some common conditions that are treated in pediatric physical therapy?
- Autism
- Birth defects
- Brachial plexus injury
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays
- Genetic disorders
- Head injuries
- Hypotonia/low muscle tone
- Joint stiffness
- Muscular dystrophy
- Orthopedic disabilities or injury
- Sports injury
- Toe walking
- Torticollis
- Vestibular dysfunction
What are the benefits and results of pediatric physical therapy?
Physical therapy treatment benefits the child by helping her achieve her age appropriate gross motor skills and be able to function and participate in activities of daily living at home and in the community to the best of her ability. As a result of therapy your child will be more confident, independent and stronger in her movement and have the skills to progress further to achieve her personal goals and reach her greatest potential.
Family Testimonial…
When you care for someone with difficult medical issues, you come across a few people who are so very special as to deserve a unique place in our hearts and in God’s heaven. By intellect, inclination, perseverance and kindness Michelle Wallace is perfectly suited to work with difficult pediatric patients.
Michelle does not advertise, yet has a full schedule with patients recommended by neurologists, orthopedists, and of course — satisfied parents.
Our son “aged out” of Michelle’s specialty age range, but because he has a special need and connection, she has kept him on for what is now about twenty years. He has the mental capacity of a seven year old, and on occasion he exhibits terrible behavioral problems. Michelle is our “Adam whisperer”. Where others would give up and say “it just isn’t working today” almost without exception Michelle gets him to calm down (it may take a while), and the two of them get down to work.
Michelle is well loved by her patients and their parents alike, and that love is well deserved.
– Bart J. Zoltan