Pediatric physical therapy
Our goal is to make movement fun and easy

Specialized strategies for success: 
​ Better balance, core muscle strength, and gross motor achievement with confidence

The Mann Method pediatric experience for children with Down syndrome:

• One-on-one sessions with Dr. Jen Spiric - an expert in teaching infants and toddlers to crawl, walk, run, and more since 2012
• Sessions are designed to be fun, kid-friendly, and utilize your child's strengths to overcome challenges
• Motor milestone achievement is celebrated and refined technique is the goal
• Clinicians utilize clinically tested MMPT principles to improve strength, stability, balance and coordination
• Activities are built for parents to continue doing them at home to enhance the speed of skill acquisition
• Balance activities include all balance systems to enhance success and coordination 
• All infants and toddlers receive primitive reflex assessment and individualized strategies to promote primitive reflex integration​

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Logistics for pediatric physical therapy at Mann Method:

• Sessions take place weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly
• In-person, Telehealth-based, or a combination
• Comprehensive initial evaluations are 1 hour
• Follow-up sessions are 45 minutes for infants and 60 minutes for toddlers and kids
• Activities are evidence-based, clinically-tested, and family friendly (you can start today!)
• Parent involvement is paramount for making goals and practicing at home
• We can bill most major insurance policies, including Medicaid
• Physical therapy at Mann Method PT and Fitness can be your child's primary therapy OR complement early intervention therapies

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Outdoor Sport Preparation and Intensives:

• Learn to ride a tricycle, bicycle, or tandem bike
• Pre-ski season prep for motor planning, balance, and coordination on the slopes
• One-on-one specialized introduction with specific considerations related to balance challenges, learning styles, and unique anatomy and structure of individuals with Down syndrome
• Choose weekly or 3-5 times/week sessions to maximize success at building a new skill!

Torticollis

​Early Physical Therapy is one of the BEST ways you can help your baby with torticollis, head tilt, or asymmetrical head shape.

“Quick check” for possible torticollis:

• Birth length >20 inches
• Head tilt or head turn preference
• Plagiocephaly or flat spot on head
• Low muscle tone
• GERD/reflux
• Asymmetry
• Difficulty with latch or one-sided preference for breastfeeding
• Firstborn
• Breech position during pregnancy

Possible impacts of head turn preference during early infancy:

• Difficulty with latch or feeding
• Asymmetrical visual development
• Muscle tightness on one side of the body
• Difficulty with coordination and symmetry for gross motor milestone achievement
• Balance challenges
• Asymmetrical head shape
  

 Gently regain flexibility, strength and symmetry for a successful start!!

​Dr. Spiric has specialized training to care for a wide variety of babies with torticollis and plagiocephaly