Initial Evaluations at Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Physical Therapy

We understand starting therapy can feel overwhelming for both
children and parents alike, regardless of the child’s age or possible
diagnosis. Knowing what to expect during your first appointment with
us can help alleviate some concerns while setting the stage for a
successful physical therapy experience. Dr. Bassem has written a
helpful guide to prepare you and your child for the first visit to our clinic.

Before your appointment, we recommend gathering any information that may be relevant to your visit. Whether you have a physician’s referral, an X-ray, or a video showcasing a specific concern, we’re here to take a look and address your questions. We also recommend that you create a list of concerns in your child’s gross or fine motor development along with any other questions you’d like to discuss with your therapist.

Please also remember to bring your insurance information, identification, and any necessary paperwork to the evaluation as this will streamline the process. And while our clinic is filled with toys that your child will love, we encourage you to bring along a favorite toy for added comfort to the first session.

When you arrive at one of our three clinics, you’ll be welcomed by our front desk staff, who will assist you with the check-in process. Next, your physical therapist will introduce themselves to both you and your little one and guide you to the treatment area. To better understand your child’s needs, the therapist will conduct a brief interview with you, and they may inquire about your child’s medical history and any current challenges they’re facing. This is a great time to discuss your concerns as well.

During the evaluation, your therapist will observe your child’s movement patterns, coordination, and balance through engaging play-based activities. This could involve encouraging your infant to crawl toward their favorite toy or having your child navigate an
obstacle course with many different elements to check their balance. Depending on your child’s age and needs, the therapist may conduct a standardized test to assess their physical abilities, for example, the Alberta Infant Motor Scale & Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Nevertheless, you can expect a strong sense of play during the session, as our approach is centered around engaging activities to keep your child motivated. After the evaluation, the therapist will share their findings with you and collaborate on setting goals tailored to your child’s unique needs and family priorities. They’ll explain which goals are achievable in both the short and long term and will give ways that the therapist and the family alike may be able to measure the progress in these goals.

Your therapist may also give you a home exercise program (HEP) with some simple exercises that would be beneficial for your child to practice at home. Your therapist will guide you in learning how to best set up these activities at home and may even give alternative exercises as well. Your therapist will discuss the frequency and duration of future appointments and if needed, you can schedule additional appointments right then and there with our front desk staff. As always, we encourage you to ask any and all questions to any member of our knowledgeable staff. 

Beyond your first appointment, we’re always just a call, text, or email away and we recommend families to reach out in whatever way is most convenient for them. You can start practicing the HEP in your daily routine to reinforce the hard work of your child during his or her physical therapy sessions.

If you have any concerns about your child's development, please feel free to fill out our contact form or call any of our three offices. We will get back to you with any out-of-pocket expenses and set up an evaluation at your earliest convenience. ​
​We can’t wait to see your child grow by Leaps & Bounds!