Therapy for Infants and Toddlers

Treatment for Self-Regulation Problems

Does your infant or toddler show some of these concerns?

  • Often irrtable, fussy
  • Cries often or for lengthy periods
  • Sleep problems
  • Eating/feeding problems
  • Poor ability to self-soothe (console or calm self)
  • More extreme periods of distress or temper tantrums than expected for age
  • Hypersensitivity to touch, sound, or other sensory elements
  • Negative, defiant mood at home, but fearful and cautious away from home
  • Withdrawn and difficult to engage
  • Disorganized behavior, impulsive for age
  • Difficulty playing constructively, inattentive for age
  • Problems adjusting to changes in routine
  • Fearful of new situations
  • Often clingy
  • Reacts negatively to holding, cuddling, or hugging
Infants and toddlers with substantial self-regulation issues can develop motor planning and executive function problems later in childhood.

Treatment can improve self-calming/self-soothing skills; periods of calm and playful behavior; play skills and exploration of objects and surroundings; and rewarding parent-child interactions. If you are concerned that your infant or toddler has difficulty with self-regulation (beyond what you expect for their age) please contact us.

 

Treatment for Torticollis

Children with torticollis have a limited range of motion in the head and neck, and might have a head tilt to one side, while their chin tilts toward the other side. If their torticollis is significant, they might also have asymmetry of their head or face, which is called “plagiocephaly”. In severe and untreated cases, asymmetry might continue throughout their body, affecting how the rest of their musculoskeletal system functions.

Why do children get torticollis?
In the most common type of torticollis, the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle that runs up each side of the neck shortens and contracts on one side, which causes the child’s head to tilt.
When should torticollis be treated?
Torticollis should be treated as soon as possible after it is noticed. If you are concerned that your child may have torticollis, you can ask your pediatrician for a referral to a therapist who has experience treating torticollis.
How is our approach to treatment of torticollis different?

Our approach involves a gentle manual therapy technique that addresses musculoskeletal restrictions to improve rate of progress. In addition, our PT will teach you stretching exercises to do with your child at home, as well as active ways you can encourage your child to stretch their own muscles. The therapist will also assess and monitor your child’s motor development to ensure that the torticollis does not cause delays.