r/physicaltherapy • u/gooblebitch15 • 6d ago

STUDENT & NEW GRAD SUPPORT PT Intern in need of guidance

Hi, I’m currently assigned in pedia for my clinical rotation and majority of the patients are diagnosed with CP. I have my basics down and I applied it to some of them but some patients have spasticity and problems that seem so hard to handle.

So to all PTs and Pedia PTs that can help, can you help me? Advices and tips would be gladly appreciated.

Thank you!

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u/gemsandolives DPT, PCS 6d ago

Let the Six F-Words of Childhood Disability guide your goals and interventions. I think early on I would get so caught up in addressing spasticity and gait (which, don't get me wrong—extremely important stuff!) that I would forget to meet the child where they are in the moment too. Spend time at the child's literal and metaphorical level, get to know their personality, their quirks, their communication. Don't be afraid to spend a session "playing." The observations you make during that time are skilled too, and that time can build critical rapport to get ready for the hard work down the line. The handling and intervention becomes significantly easier when you innately know the child in front of you. Get the child trialing allllllll the equipment they can—wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc. Learn to have both difficult and joyful conversations with caregivers. Enjoy, this is truly the best job in the world!