Pediatric Physical Therapy Near Cumming, Dulut & Alpharetta, GA

If you're reading this after searching for "pediatric physical therapy near me" in the middle of the night, you are probably desperate for answers.

High Hopes Therapy has three locations in North Georgia - Cumming, Alpharetta, and Duluth - and we see hundreds of children every year who benefit from pediatric physical therapy.

This guide covers what PT is for children, when a child might benefit from it, and what you can expect from a visit at our Cumming and Alpharetta locations.

What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapy helps children to move, look, feel, and function their best. A pediatric physical therapist works on gross motor skills such as crawling, walking, running, jumping, climbing, balance, and coordinated movements to help children become confident and comfortable movers.

Physical therapists work with a variety of children including those with:

• Cerebral palsy

• Developmental delays

• Down syndrome

• Torticollis or plagiocephaly

• Muscular dystrophy

• Orthopedic injuries or conditions

• Hypotonia (low muscle tone)

• Coordination or balance disorders

Even if your child has not been diagnosed with a specific condition, they can still benefit from physical therapy. Many children simply need a little extra support as they are working to reach their physical milestones. A physical therapist can help determine whether a delay will close on its own or whether early intervention would make a difference.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Physical Therapy

Not every child who wobbles or is late to take their first steps needs a referral for PT. However, there are some very important indicators that a pediatric physical therapist should be called in to do a screening.

By 12 months:

Has not started to crawl Has not started to pull self up to stand with support * Favors the same side in play

By 18 months: Can't walk alone, walks on the balls of feet, falls often.

Difficulty performing gross motor functions such as:

• Going up and down stairs

• Pedaling a tricycle

• Running to play with other children

At any age: Your child complains of pain, is reluctant to participate in physical activities, or exhibits an asymmetrical profile for strength and range of motion between left and right sides of the body.

If your child's behavior seems familiar as you're reading this, don't worry. We have plenty of room for questions and even offer a free screening that will give you and your child an idea of whether PT is needed.

How We Approach Pediatric PT at High Hopes Therapy

Every child that comes into High Hopes is given individualized physical therapy designed to meet their unique needs. High Hopes Physical Therapy does not practice traditional physical therapy with children. Rather, we incorporate play into our physical therapy sessions to make it fun for children.

Learn more about our physical therapy for kids programs.

Here is what our process looks like:

Your child's first physical therapy session. The therapist does an evaluation by observing your child's movements, speaking with you about your concerns, and establishing a good relationship before starting the formal evaluation process for developing goals and objectives.

Goal setting. The goals for your child's physical therapy program are established together with you. We work together to make sure that the goals we establish will enable your child to meet their needs, such as running with friends at recess or climbing stairs without holding the handrail.

Play-based therapy sessions where kids complete obstacle courses, water play, climbing activities, ball games, and more. Sometimes kids work on balance during play without even realizing they are completing a therapeutic goal.

Family involvement. We provide you and your child with exercises to practice at home to continue improving between sessions. Simple changes can help your child progress in their physical development.

Regular check-ins. Updates on progress are given regularly and the treatment plan is modified as the child grows and matures.

Why Parents Choose High Hopes for PT in Cumming & Alpharetta

There are plenty of physical therapy clinics in North Georgia. So what makes High Hopes different?

Pediatric PT Experts. At High Hopes Therapy, every therapist is trained and experienced in Pediatric Physical Development and in working with children of all ages. We do not serve the adolescent or adult population, nor do we treat sports injuries. Our services focus solely on helping children and their families.

Our physical therapy spaces for kids were designed with children in mind. Our clinic is located in Cumming on Pilgrim Village Drive and also in Alpharetta. We have created a waiting area that is relaxing for children. There are no white walls with weird equipment. Instead, you will find fun pictures on the walls and kid-friendly literature on a shelf.

A comprehensive approach to the whole child. At High Hopes, physical therapy is almost always conducted in conjunction with other disciplines. Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Feeding Specialists all work in the same location as the Physical Therapists.

We recognize that a child with muscle tone deficits may also need help with sensory integration, and that a child with feeding deficits may benefit from myofunctional therapy. Many issues that affect a child's ability to perform physical tasks can be better addressed by a multidisciplinary team.

We are flexible. We know it can be challenging to schedule an appointment and arrange for your child to attend a session. We have a flexible schedule, offer telehealth sessions, and our front office staff answer the phone and respond to emails in a timely manner.

Where We Serve: Cumming, Alpharetta & North Atlanta

Our pediatric physical therapy takes place in three locations throughout North Atlanta and surrounding communities: High Hopes Therapy in Cumming, High Hopes Alpharetta, and High Hopes Duluth.

Cumming - 105 Pilgrim Village Drive, Suite 200/300, Cumming, GA 30040. We are located just off Highway 20 in the heart of Forsyth County. Many families with children who need physical therapy live in Cumming and other surrounding cities in North Fulton.

Alpharetta - This location serves North Fulton County including the following cities: Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, and Johns Creek.

Duluth - Serving Gwinnett County and the greater North Atlanta corridor.

Regardless of where you reside in the Cumming, Alpharetta, Roswell, Duluth or North Atlanta area, High Hopes has a physical therapist ready to assist your child.

Getting Started: What to Expect at Your First Visit

The first visit is perhaps the most important visit for both you and your child. Below is a detailed explanation of what you can expect during this initial visit with your physical therapist.

We introduce ourselves. The Pediatric Physical Therapist introduces herself and begins to gather information regarding your child's development, your concerns, and how your child spends their time throughout the day. She will also ask for any reports or documents such as those from your child's pediatrician, early intervention team, and/or school.

Your child will play. Yes, that is all that we need for you and your child to come in for an evaluation. We will have your child complete tasks naturally in order to observe how they move and to identify any patterns that may exist in their movement.

You will get a clear picture. The physical therapist will tell you what they found and if physical therapy is needed for your child. They will lay out a plan of action for your child's physical therapy.

You will know exactly what comes next. If you decide to move forward with services for your child, your therapist will schedule your first session of physical therapy with you and then we connect you with our front office team to take care of the insurance verification and related paperwork.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you are looking for pediatric physical therapy near you and would like to discuss your child's development, whether or not they would benefit from PT, we invite you to call us for a free conversation with a pediatric physical therapist.

We are here to support your family and your children in finding and receiving all the physical therapy and therapeutic services needed to help them Move. Play. Grow. Learn. Whether you live in Cumming, Alpharetta or in between, we are here to help families in North Atlanta and all of Gwinnett County.

Feel free to give us a call to schedule a consultation with one of our pediatric therapists, or stop by our Cumming clinic to learn more about our approach to helping children move, play and grow with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can start pediatric physical therapy?

There is no minimum age - we see infants through young teens. In fact, the earlier we get involved, the more progress a child can make. Many of our youngest patients are just a few months old.

How long does a typical pediatric PT session last?

Most sessions run 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your child's needs and attention span. We build activities into play so it never feels like a clinical chore.

Do you accept insurance for pediatric physical therapy?

We work with several major insurance plans. Our front desk team can verify your coverage before your first visit so there are no surprises.

Where is High Hopes Therapy located for families in Cumming?

Our Cumming clinic is at 105 Pilgrim Village Drive, Suite 200/300, Cumming, GA 30040. We also have locations in Alpharetta and Duluth.