Home Exercises: Physical Therapy

In this section you will find exercises, interventions, and strategies that have been recommended to you by your physical therapist. These may include: Strengthening and stretching exercises, developmental activities, balance and coordination strategies, breathing exercises, and more!

Video: Hopscotch

Link: https://youtu.be/DEMF_TlSQQs
Technique: Jumping and coordination.
Exercise Objective: Bilateral coordination, lower extremity strengthening, motor planning.
Exercise Requirements: Your child must be able to walk, jump, and have good standing balance.
Precautions: Be cautious and guard child throughout to prevent fall.
Equipment: Gait belt if available. Chalk/poly dots to visualize hopscotch pattern.
Contraindications: Children who are unable to stand or walk on their own.

Video: Stacking Muffin Liners (Breathing Exercise)

Link: https://youtu.be/Bf0De2Cx1Dk
Technique: Respiratory function.
Exercise Objective: Inspiratory muscle strengthening, inspiratory lung volume
Exercise Requirements: Your child should be able to voluntarily breathe in.
Precautions: None.
Equipment: Muffin tin liners, straw.
Contraindications: Children who are unable to voluntarily breathe in on command.

Video: Racing Muffin Liners (Breathing Exercise)

Link: https://youtu.be/ab9vqcoNemE
Technique: Respiratory function.
Exercise Objective: Expiratory muscle strengthening, expiratory lung volume.
Exercise Requirements: Your child should be able to voluntarily breathe out.
Precautions: None.
Equipment: Muffin tin liners, straw.
Contraindications: Children who are unable to voluntarily breathe out on command.

Video: Blowing Bubbles with a Straw (Breathing Exercise)

Link: https://youtu.be/8silGzjNFVw
Technique: Respiratory function.
Exercise Objective: Expiratory muscle strengthening, expiratory lung volume.
Exercise Requirements: Your child should be able to voluntarily breathe out.
Precautions: Make sure to not breathe in.
Equipment: Straw, cup, soap.
Contraindications: Children who are unable to understand the difference of breathing out versus breathing in.

Video: Sitting & Reaching Activity

Link: https://youtu.be/kyYTM-XXFCI
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Core strengthening, functional reaching, balance reactions.
Exercise Requirements: Your child should have good sitting balance and the ability to reach with one or both hands.
Precautions: Have feet supported on ground throughout.
Equipment: Couch/bed, pillow, toy to reach for.
Contraindications: Children with poor sitting balance or inability to reach with one or both hands.

Video: Transition from Floor to Half-Kneeling

Link: https://youtu.be/yWM2OC5bUIE
Technique: Transfers.
Exercise Objective: Postural control, motor planning, coordination, balance, functional reaching.
Exercise Requirements: Your child should have good trunk and head control.
Precautions: Be cautious of poor trunk and head control and balance when on one knee.
Equipment: Surface in front of your child, ball or toy to reach for.
Contraindications: Children who are unable to bend their knees or weight bear on their knees.

Video: Basic Safety Tips when Using an Exercise Ball

Link: https://youtu.be/Eh0Sp1jYhdI
Technique: Exercise ball activities.
Exercise Objective: Safety tips to know prior to participating in physioball activities.
Exercise Requirements: Clearance by physical therapist as well as caregiver understanding and safety with use of physioball.
Precautions: Be cautious if a child has poor head control.
Equipment: Exercise ball.
Contraindications: Not given clearance by physical therapist as well as caregivers who do not understand or are unable to safely perform activities on physioball.

Video: Tummy Time Activities on an Exercise Ball

Link: https://youtu.be/lmX_0QyhYZA
Technique: Developmental positions.
Exercise Objective: Head control, neck strengthening, abdominal strength, functional reaching.
Exercise Requirements: Clearance by physical therapist as well as caregiver understanding and safety with use of physioball.
Precautions: Allow the ball to move with your child. Be cautious if child has G-tube.
Equipment: Physioball, potentially a pillow or towels/blankets for beginners.
Contraindications: Not given clearance by physical therapist as well as caregivers who do not understand or are unable to safely perform activities on physioball.

Video: Rolling

Link: https://youtu.be/HiPvA89FesY
Technique: Developmental positions.
Exercise Objective: Core strengthening, motor planning, developmental milestones, bed mobility.
Exercise Requirements: Proper body mechanics and understanding of handling by caregiver.
Precautions: Be cautious if child has G-tube, frequent shoulder subluxations or dislocations.
Equipment: None.
Contraindications: This activity can be performed with all children after consulting with physical therapist for safe handling.

Video: Sitting Balance on an Exercise Ball

Link: https://youtu.be/3rL8qMMGiiE
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Sitting balance, core strength, head control, protective reactions.
Exercise Requirements: Clearance by physical therapist as well as caregiver understanding, and safety with use of physioball.
Precautions: Be cautious if a child has poor head control.
Equipment: Physioball.
Contraindications: Not given clearance by physical therapist as well as caregivers who do not understand or are unable to safely perform activities on physioball.

Video: Dependent Transfer from Bed to Wheelchair

Link: https://youtu.be/kmY5Ao7-VTc
Technique: Transfers.
Exercise Objective: One caregiver transfer assist of child.
Exercise Requirements: Wheelchair brakes must be locked, and be sure to use proper body mechanics.
Precautions: Clear area to prevent tripping over items. Lock wheelchair brakes.
Equipment: Wheelchair.
Contraindications: If a caregiver is unable to safely perform on their own, ask for help, or use a different technique to transfer your child.

Video: Slide Board Transfer

Link: https://youtu.be/ECqKN-bgrrs
Technique: Transfers.
Exercise Objective: Transfer from one surface to another with use of a slide board.
Exercise Requirements: Wheelchair brakes must be locked and be sure to use proper body mechanics.
Precautions: Be careful with hand placement, do not place fingers under board. Place a slide board underneath your child’s bottom.
Equipment: Slide board.
Contraindications: Children with no head or trunk control.

Video: Stand Pivot Transfer

Link: https://youtu.be/2OTiKRhEqxc
Technique: Transfers.
Exercise Objective: Transfer from wheelchair to surface via stand pivot with assistance.
Exercise Requirements: Wheelchair brakes must be locked and be sure to use proper body mechanics.
Precautions: Be cautious if your child has poor head or trunk control and unable to fully bear weight through both legs.
Equipment: Use a gait belt if available.
Contraindications: Child with weight-bearing restrictions, pain with weight-bearing, contractures limiting lower extremity mobility to safely perform task.

Video: Transition from Lying on Back to Sitting

Link: https://youtu.be/4TOJdqvbdl8
Technique: Transfers.
Exercise Objective: Core strengthening, developmental milestones, bed mobility.
Exercise Requirements: Proper body mechanics and understanding of handling by caregiver.
Precautions: Be cautious if your child has poor head control.
Equipment: None
Contraindications: This activity can be performed with all children after consulting with PT for safe handling.

Video: Calf Stretch

Link: https://youtu.be/cDR2Xu39g7c
Technique: Stretches.
Exercise Objective: Improve muscle length, decrease risk of contractures.
Exercise Requirements: Perform stretch to your child’s tolerance, and be mindful to not cause pain.
Precautions: Be careful not to force the stretch or perform too quickly.
Equipment: None.
Contraindications: Child with hyper-mobility (when in doubt, ask your therapist).

Video: Hamstring Stretch

Link: https://youtu.be/Vq5Ihx5OMPQ
Technique: Stretches.
Exercise Objective: Improve muscle length, decrease risk of contractures.
Exercise Requirements: Perform stretch to your child’s tolerance, and be mindful to not cause pain.
Precautions: Be careful not to force the stretch or perform too quickly.
Equipment: None.
Contraindications: Child with hyper-mobility (when in doubt, ask your therapist).

Video: Trunk Stretch

Link: https://youtu.be/tWvQsYuZRzM
Technique: Stretches.
Exercise Objective: Improve muscle length, decrease risk of contractures.
Exercise Requirements: Perform stretch to your child’s tolerance, and be mindful to not cause pain.
Precautions: Be careful not to force the stretch or perform too quickly.
Equipment: None.
Contraindications: Child with hyper-mobility (when in doubt, ask your therapist).

Video: Hip Flexor Stretch

Link: https://youtu.be/o0Addx12PQY
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Improve muscle length, decrease risk of contractures.
Exercise Requirements: Perform stretch to your child’s tolerance, and be mindful to not cause pain.
Precautions: Be cautious and guard child throughout to prevent fall. Orthoses if recommended by physical therapist.
Equipment: Use a gait belt if available.
Contraindications: Child with hyper-mobility (when in doubt, ask your therapist).

Video: Hip Righting Reactions (Standing Balance)

Link: https://youtu.be/KVPi5H7zbVg
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Balance reactions, hip strengthening, core strengthening, functional reaching.
Exercise Requirements: Child must have adequate head and trunk control, protective reactions. Otherwise, caregiver must use close guarding or gait belt to safely assist.
Precautions: Be cautious and guard child throughout to prevent fall. Orthoses if recommended by physical therapist.
Equipment: Use a gait belt if available.
Contraindications: Child with weight bearing restrictions, pain with weight bearing, contractures limiting lower extremity mobility to safely perform task.

Video: Tandem Walking on a Line (Standing Balance)

Link: https://youtu.be/5n5aVetBtn0
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Balance, coordination, motor planning, postural control.
Exercise Requirements: Child must have adequate head and trunk control, protective reactions. Otherwise, caregiver must use close guarding or gait belt to safely assist.
Precautions: Be cautious and guard child throughout to prevent fall. Orthoses if recommended by physical therapist.
Equipment: Use a gait belt if available. Tape or chalk to make line.
Contraindications: Child with weight-bearing restrictions, pain with weight-bearing, contractures limiting lower extremity mobility to safely perform task.

Video: Stepping over Hurdles

Link: https://youtu.be/K3Xx0Z_3jxI
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Balance, coordination, motor planning, object negotiation.
Exercise Requirements: Child must have adequate head and trunk control, protective reactions. Otherwise, caregiver must use close guarding or gait belt to safely assist.
Precautions: Be cautious and guard child throughout to prevent fall. Orthoses if recommended by physical therapist.
Equipment: Use a gait belt if available. Use pool noodles, broomsticks, PVC pipes to make hurdles.
Contraindications: Child with weight bearing restrictions, pain with weight bearing, contractures limiting lower extremity mobility to safely perform task.

Video: Trunk Control, Reaching in Sitting

Link: https://youtu.be/ndMekDNgdV4
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Core strengthening, functional reaching, balance reactions.
Exercise Requirements: Your child should have good sitting balance and the ability to reach with one or both hands.
Precautions: Have feet supported on ground throughout. Be cautious if child has poor head control.
Equipment: Therapy bolster, raised surface (couch or bed), toys to reach for.
Contraindications: Children who have absent head control, are unable to safely sit in saddle position, have pain with any portion of the exercise.

Video: Rolling onto Back/Tummy Using Head to Assist

Link: https://youtu.be/qWREn1WcnQQ
Technique: Bed Mobility.
Exercise Objective: Bed mobility, core strengthening, motor planning, developmental milestones.
Exercise Requirements: Child must be able to safely lay flat on tummy/back, caregiver must have proper understanding of body mechanics.
Precautions: Be cautious if child has G-tube or other abdominal lines or ports, has spasticity of limbs and/or neck.
Equipment: None.
Contraindications: Children who are unable to lay flat on tummy/back due to external medical reasons.

Video: Sitting Balance on Physioball

Link: https://youtu.be/fqpmcjb_IC8
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Sitting balance, core strength, head and trunk righting reactions, protective reactions.
Exercise Requirements: Clearance by physical therapist as well as caregiver understanding, and safety with use of physioball.
Precautions: Be cautious if child has poor head control.
Equipment: Physioball.
Contraindications: Not given clearance by physical therapist as well as caregivers who are unable to safely perform activities on physioball.

Video: Trunk Balance Reactions in Sitting with Sheet Support

Link: https://youtu.be/Jp6JX2JqpFs
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Sitting balance, core strength, head and trunk righting reactions, protective reactions.
Exercise Requirements: Ability to sit independently, and use of upper extremities for bracing.
Precautions: Be cautious if child has delayed response to placing arm down to brace themselves.
Equipment: Sheet or blanket.
Contraindications: Child who has absent head and trunk control.

Video: Sitting Balance with Support at Knees

Link: https://youtu.be/yy7_fd_WYNo
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Sitting balance, core strength, head and trunk righting reactions, protective reactions.
Exercise Requirements: Clearance by physical therapist as well as caregiver understanding, and safety with use of physioball.
Precautions: Be cautious if child has poor head and trunk control.
Equipment: Physioball.
Contraindications: Not given clearance by physical therapist as well as caregivers who are unable to safely perform activities on physioball. Child who has absent head control.

Video: Sit to Stand Transitions

Link: https://youtu.be/smU8dl5voFg
Technique: Transfers.
Exercise Objective: Transitions from sitting to standing for transfers/mobility.
Exercise Requirements: Good head and trunk control and ability to weight bear with lower extremities without pain.
Precautions: Caregiver should remain close to child if impaired balance or delayed protective reactions.
Equipment: Gait belt to be worn if indicated.
Contraindications: Poor head and trunk control, unable to bear weight through legs, weight bearing restrictions.

Video: Hip Adductor Stretch

Link: https://youtu.be/RlLryahfDxk
Technique: Stretches.
Exercise Objective: Improve muscle length, decrease risk of contractures.
Exercise Requirements: Perform stretch to your child’s tolerance, and be mindful to not cause pain.
Precautions: Be careful not to force the stretch or perform too quickly. Be cautious if child has history of hip dysplasia.
Equipment: None.
Contraindications: Child with hyper-mobility or severe pain with this activity (when in doubt, ask your therapist).

Video: Exercise for Hip Strengthening (Bridges)

Link: https://youtu.be/NrSV_0nC2Y4
Technique: Strengthening.
Exercise Objective: Bed mobility, hip strengthening.
Exercise Requirements: Child must be able to lay flat on their back, and be able to place weight through their feet.
Precautions: Be cautious that your child does not slide back, has spasticity in quadriceps.
Equipment: Small toys that your child can hold (optional).
Contraindications: Child with weight bearing restrictions, who is unable to bend knees, or has pain in hip flexors due to tightness.

Video: Tall Kneeling with Hip Extension

Link: https://youtu.be/b77eutuNS4Y
Technique: Strengthening.
Exercise Objective: Hip strengthening, core strengthening, motor planning.
Exercise Requirements: Child must be able to safely bear weight through their legs in kneeling, and have adequate head control.
Precautions: Be cautious if your child has poor head or trunk control, and is unable to fully bear weight through both hips and knees.
Equipment: None.
Contraindications: Children with weight bearing restrictions, pain with weight-bearing, or unable to bend knees.

Video: Tall Kneeling with Arm Support

Link: https://youtu.be/vnOtYHKq4Rg
Technique: Strengthening.
Exercise Objective: Hip strengthening, core strengthening, motor planning, balance.
Exercise Requirements: Child must be able to safely bear weight through their legs in kneeling, be able to hold onto a surface with their hands, and have adequate head control.
Precautions: Be cautious if your child has poor head or trunk control, has difficulty holding onto objects, or is unable to fully bear weight through both hips and knees.
Equipment: None.
Contraindications: Children with weight bearing restrictions, pain with weight-bearing, or unable to bend knees.

Video: Tall Kneeling Balance (Weight Shifting/Reaching)

Link: https://youtu.be/OsZqaQEhmc4
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Hip strengthening, core strengthening, motor planning, balance, functional reaching.
Exercise Requirements: Child must be able to safely bear weight through their legs in kneeling, be able to reach out with their arms, and have good head and trunk control.
Precautions: Be cautious if your child has poor head or trunk control, or is unable to fully bear weight through both hips and knees. Caregiver should remain close to child if poor balance or protective reactions.
Equipment: A raised surface and objects for stacking.
Contraindications: Children who have weight-bearing restrictions for lower extremities, have absent or poor head and trunk control.

Video: Reaching from Quadruped Over a Bolster

Link: https://youtu.be/78jkuE6jViY
Technique: Developmental positions.
Exercise Objective: Core stability, hip and shoulder strength, motor planning, coordination, postural control.
Exercise Requirements: Child must have good head control, be able to reach forward for an object, and ability to weight bear through their arms.
Precautions: Be cautious if your child has poor head or trunk control, has a G-tube or any other abdominal port/line, is unable to fully bear weight through their arms.
Equipment: Therapy bolster or rolled up towel.
Contraindications: Children who are unable or have weight-bearing restrictions for upper or lower extremities, who are unable to lift single arm up.

Video: Assisted Crawling with a Sheet

Link: https://youtu.be/sM2OaJkNB18
Technique: Developmental positions.
Exercise Objective: Core stability, hip and shoulder strength, motor planning, coordination, postural control.
Exercise Requirements: Child must have good head control, and ability to weight bear through their upper and lower extremities.
Precautions: Be cautious if your child has poor head or trunk control, has a G-tube or any other abdominal port/line.
Equipment: Rolled up sheet or towel.
Contraindications: Children who have weight-bearing restrictions for upper or lower extremities, have poor head control.

Video: Knee Walking with Arms Supported on Physioball

Link: https://youtu.be/CSjXP9Kh7w8
Technique: Strengthening.
Exercise Objective: Core stability, hip strengthening, motor planning, coordination, postural control.
Exercise Requirements: Child must have good head and trunk control, ability to bear weight through lower extremities without pain, protective reactions.
Precautions: Caregiver should remain close to child if impaired balance or protective reactions.
Equipment: Exercise ball.
Contraindications: Children with absent head or trunk control, weight bearing restrictions, pain with weight-bearing.

Video: At Home Hurdles with Pool Noodles

Link: https://youtu.be/Nh3ZPu2PoCY
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: How to make hurdles at home to work on object negotiation, motor planning, coordination, single limb balance and walking.
Exercise Requirements: Ability to walk with little to no assistance. Non-impaired vision, use of eye glasses as prescribed.
Precautions: Caregiver should remain close to child if impaired balance or delayed protective reactions.
Equipment: Gait belt to be worn if indicated. Decreased hip or knee ROM.
Contraindications: Visually impaired, if weight bearing is contraindicated, recent leg fracture, significant difficulty maintaining weight through legs, unable to ambulate.

Video: Standing Balance Activities

Link: https://youtu.be/rwpI6YXvOzw
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Improved balance, postural control, weight bearing through legs, protective reactions.
Exercise Requirements: Good head and trunk control, ability to weight bear with lower extremities without pain, present protective reactions.
Precautions: Caregiver should remain close to child if impaired balance or delayed protective reactions.
Equipment: Gait belt to be worn if indicated.
Contraindications: If weight bearing is contraindicated, recent leg fracture, significant difficulty maintaining weight through legs, and poor head and trunk control.

Video: Single Leg Balance with a Chair

Link: https://youtu.be/HKu2DC02jFU
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Leg strengthening and single limb balance.
Exercise Requirements: Requirements: Good head and trunk control, ability to weight bear with lower extremities without pain, protective reactions.
Precautions: Caregiver should remain close to child if impaired balance or delayed protective reactions.
Equipment: Gait belt to be worn if indicated.
Contraindications: If weight bearing is contraindicated, recent leg fracture, significant difficulty maintaining weight through legs.

Video: Single Leg Balance with Auditory Feedback

Link: https://youtu.be/6qA2Gq3gjmA
Technique: Balance.
Exercise Objective: Leg strengthening and single limb balance.
Exercise Requirements: Good head and trunk control, ability to weight bear with lower extremities without pain, protective reactions.
Precautions: Caregiver should remain close to child if impaired balance or delayed protective reactions.
Equipment: Chair, Gait belt to be worn if indicated.
Contraindications: If weight bearing is contraindicated, recent leg fracture, significant difficulty maintaining weight through legs.

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