When your child is not meeting developmental milestones, struggles with balance, has difficulty walking, experiences pain, or simply is not keeping up with other children their age, it can be stressful trying to determine the next step.
Many parents wonder if these challenges are simply part of growing up or if professional help could make a difference. The good news is that pediatric physical therapy is designed to help children build strength, improve movement, gain confidence, and reach their full potential.
If you are searching for the best pediatric physical therapy in Andover, KS, Empower Physical Therapy is proud to provide compassionate, individualized care for children of all ages. Our Andover pediatric physical therapists, Dr. Ashley and Dr. Sarah , are passionate about helping children improve their mobility while making therapy engaging and fun.
Whether your child has a developmental delay, orthopedic injury, neurological condition, or simply needs extra support reaching important milestones, our team is here to help every step of the way.
What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Pediatric physical therapy focuses on evaluating and treating infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents who have difficulty with movement, strength, balance, coordination, posture, or physical development.
Every child develops at their own pace, but sometimes additional guidance can help children reach milestones more efficiently and confidently.
Unlike adult physical therapy, pediatric physical therapy is centered around play based activities that encourage children to move naturally while developing essential motor skills. Therapy sessions are tailored specifically to each child’s age, personality, interests, and goals.
Our goal is always to help children become more independent while improving their ability to participate in everyday activities such as playing, walking, running, climbing, participating in sports, and interacting with friends and family.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From Pediatric Physical Therapy
Many parents are unsure when it is time to seek an evaluation. Some children have an obvious injury or diagnosis, while others simply seem to struggle with movement compared to their peers.
Your child may benefit from pediatric physical therapy if they:
- Are delayed in rolling, crawling, standing, or walking
- Frequently trip or fall
- Walk on their toes
- Have poor balance or coordination
- Complain of leg, foot, or joint pain
- Have difficulty keeping up during sports or recess
- Have low muscle tone
- Have torticollis or plagiocephaly
- Need custom orthotics
- Have neurological or developmental conditions affecting movement
- Are recovering after surgery or an injury
An early evaluation can identify movement challenges before they become larger concerns. Early intervention often leads to faster progress and improved long term outcomes.
Why Families Choose Empower Physical Therapy in Andover
Choosing the right pediatric physical therapist in Andover, KS is one of the most important decisions you can make for your child. At Empower Physical Therapy, we believe every child deserves individualized care that focuses on their unique strengths and goals.
Our therapists spend time getting to know both the child and their family. We believe parents are essential members of the treatment team and encourage education throughout the therapy process so families feel confident continuing activities at home.
Our clinic provides a welcoming environment where children can feel comfortable exploring movement while having fun. Therapy sessions are designed to keep children engaged while helping them develop new skills through age appropriate activities.
Meet Dr. Sarah
One of our dedicated pediatric physical therapy specialists is Dr. Sarah, PT, DPT.
Dr. Sarah has specialized training in pediatric physical therapy and has experience helping children with a variety of movement disorders and developmental conditions. In addition to pediatrics, her specialties include pediatric equipment and custom orthotics, Parkinson’s disease, vertigo, and geriatric rehabilitation.
Her experience with custom orthotics allows her to help children who need additional support for proper alignment, walking mechanics, and overall mobility. She works closely with families to ensure each child receives individualized recommendations that support healthy development.
Dr. Sarah enjoys helping children build confidence while reaching meaningful milestones that improve everyday life.
Meet Dr. Ashley
Our Andover pediatric physical therapy team also includes Dr. Ashley, PT, DPT, whose passion is helping children achieve greater independence through individualized treatment.
Dr. Ashley specializes in functional dry needling, pediatric equipment and custom orthotics, pediatric reflex integration, and craniosacral manual therapy.
Her advanced training allows her to provide specialized care for children with a wide variety of physical and developmental needs. Pediatric reflex integration can help children whose retained primitive reflexes interfere with balance, coordination, posture, and motor development. Craniosacral manual therapy may be incorporated when appropriate to help improve comfort, movement, and function.
Every treatment plan developed by Dr. Ashley is personalized to meet each child’s unique goals while creating an enjoyable therapy experience that encourages progress.
Conditions We Commonly Treat
At our Andover pediatric physical therapy clinic, we help children with many different diagnoses and movement concerns.
Some of the most common conditions include developmental delays, delayed walking, toe walking, balance disorders, coordination difficulties, torticollis, plagiocephaly, low muscle tone, sports injuries, orthopedic conditions, foot pain, growing pains, neurological diagnoses, scoliosis, gait abnormalities, and recovery following injuries or surgery.
Because every child is unique, treatment plans are never one size fits all. Our therapists perform a thorough evaluation before creating an individualized plan designed specifically for your child’s needs.
Pediatric Equipment and Custom Orthotics
One area that sets our Andover pediatric physical therapy team apart is our experience with pediatric equipment and custom orthotics.
Children sometimes need additional support to improve alignment, walking efficiency, posture, or overall mobility. Properly fitted orthotics can help improve comfort while encouraging healthier movement patterns.
Our therapists carefully evaluate each child to determine whether orthotics or adaptive equipment may be beneficial. Recommendations are always based on the child’s individual presentation rather than using a standard approach.
Proper equipment can often improve confidence by making movement easier and more comfortable for children during everyday activities.
Early Intervention Makes a Difference
One of the greatest advantages of pediatric physical therapy is the ability to address movement concerns early. Children learn and adapt incredibly quickly, making early intervention one of the most effective ways to improve long term outcomes.
When challenges are identified early, children often develop stronger movement patterns before poor habits become established. This can improve confidence, increase participation in school and recreational activities, and help prevent future injuries.
Parents are sometimes hesitant to seek therapy because they hope their child will simply grow out of a movement issue. While some concerns do improve naturally, others benefit greatly from professional guidance. Having your child evaluated does not necessarily mean they will require months of therapy. In many cases, parents simply gain valuable education, home exercises, and reassurance about their child’s development.
If therapy is recommended, beginning sooner often allows children to make progress more efficiently while building skills during important stages of development.
What Happens During the First Visit?
Many parents feel nervous before their child’s first physical therapy evaluation, but our goal is to make the experience relaxed, welcoming, and enjoyable.
During the initial visit, one of our pediatric physical therapists will spend time learning about your child’s medical history, developmental milestones, current concerns, and family goals. We want to understand not only what challenges your child is experiencing, but also what activities are most important to your family.
Next, your therapist will complete a comprehensive movement assessment. Depending on your child’s age, this may include evaluating:
- Strength
- Balance
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Walking pattern
- Running and jumping skills
- Posture
- Gross motor development
- Functional mobility
Because children learn best through play, much of the evaluation feels like fun activities rather than medical testing.
Once the evaluation is complete, your therapist will explain their findings, answer your questions, and develop an individualized treatment plan designed specifically for your child’s needs.
A Team Approach With Parents
At Empower Physical Therapy, we believe the best outcomes happen when families are actively involved in their child’s care.
Parents know their children better than anyone else, and your observations are an important part of the therapy process. Throughout treatment, our Andover pediatric physical therapists provide education, home activities, and practical strategies that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine.
Rather than only focusing on progress during therapy sessions, we work to help children continue improving at home, at school, and in their community.
This partnership allows children to practice new skills in everyday environments while building confidence between appointments.
Making Therapy Fun
Children learn best when they are engaged and having fun. That is why our pediatric physical therapy sessions are designed around age appropriate activities that encourage movement naturally.
Instead of repetitive exercises that may feel like work, therapy often includes obstacle courses, balance games, jumping activities, climbing, throwing, catching, running, imaginative play, and other creative activities that target each child’s goals.
When children enjoy therapy, they are more willing to participate, try new challenges, and celebrate their accomplishments. Every small success builds confidence that carries over into everyday life.
Our therapists strive to create an encouraging environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to come to therapy.
Why Empower Physical Therapy Is the Best Choice for Pediatric Physical Therapy in Andover, KS
Families searching for the best pediatric physical therapy in Andover, KS want experienced providers who truly care about helping children succeed.
At Empower Physical Therapy, our Andover pediatric specialists, Dr. Ashley and Dr. Sarah, combine advanced clinical training with a compassionate, child centered approach. Their expertise in pediatric equipment and custom orthotics, pediatric reflex integration, craniosacral manual therapy, and a wide variety of pediatric conditions allows them to create treatment plans that are tailored to each child’s unique needs.
We understand that every child develops differently, and we celebrate progress at every stage of the journey. Whether your child is taking their first independent steps, returning to sports after an injury, improving balance, or working toward developmental milestones, our team is committed to helping them achieve success.
Our mission is not simply to improve movement. We want every child to gain confidence, independence, and the ability to fully participate in the activities they love.
If you have concerns about your child’s physical development, balance, coordination, walking, strength, or overall mobility, we encourage you to schedule an evaluation. Our team is happy to answer your questions and determine whether pediatric physical therapy may be beneficial.
Click here to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced pediatric physical therapists at our Andover clinic. We look forward to helping your child move, play, and grow with confidence.
Andover
826 E Founders Pkwy STE 100
Andover, KS 67002
316-348-2766
