Pediatric Physical Therapy Essentials – Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key pediatric physical therapy concepts, assessments, and interventions presented in the lecture notes.

Communication Barriers

Limitations that prevent a child (especially with disabilities) from reporting abuse or expressing needs.

Dependence on Caregivers

High physical or emotional reliance on adults that can increase vulnerability to neglect or abuse.

Increased Caregiver Stress

Burnout from chronic caregiving duties that can heighten risk of child maltreatment.

Social Isolation

Limited social contact or observers, reducing detection of abuse in children with disabilities.

Physical Abuse Signs

Unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, or flinching/fearful reaction to touch.

Neglect Signs

Poor hygiene, malnutrition, or clothing inappropriate for weather conditions.

Sexual Abuse Signs

Difficulty walking or sitting, motor regression, and withdrawn behavior.

Emotional Abuse Signs

Aggression, excessive fear, withdrawal, or sudden developmental delays.

Behavioral Signs of Abuse

Hyper-vigilance, anxiety, fear of going home, or self-injury observed by PTs.

PT-Specific Abuse Clues

Missed appointments, unexplained worsening of condition, or caregiver hostility/indifference.

Prenatal Movement

Reflexive and purposeful fetal motions beginning at 7–8 weeks gestation, essential for joint and neural development.

Rolling

Motor milestone typically achieved at 4–6 months (prone→supine first).

Creeping

Hands-and-knees locomotion seen around 8–10 months, distinct from belly crawling.

Independent Sitting

Stable unsupported sitting usually reached by 6–7 months.

Independent Standing

Achieved between 9–13 months; often follows pulling to stand at ~9 months.

Ambulation

First independent steps appearing around 12–14 months with a wide-based gait.

Back to Sleep Campaign

Safe-sleep initiative that cut SIDS rates >50 % but increased plagiocephaly and prone motor delay.

Plagiocephaly

Flat-head syndrome often related to prolonged supine positioning.

Tummy Time

Supervised prone play while awake to promote motor development and prevent plagiocephaly.

Cruising

Side-stepping along furniture that builds hip strength and balance prior to independent walking.

Postural Stability

Ability to maintain trunk and pelvic control, forming the base for accurate reaching and other UE tasks.

Anticipatory Postural Adjustments

Pre-emptive muscle activations that stabilize the body before a voluntary movement like reaching.

Subjective Interview

History-gathering phase covering chief concerns, birth, medical, developmental, family, and routine information.

Systems Review

Brief screening of cardiopulmonary, integumentary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and communication systems.

Screening Examination

Quick test that identifies need for further evaluation; broad and general.

Diagnostic Examination

Comprehensive assessment to determine a specific condition or service eligibility.

Prescriptive Examination

Detailed evaluation used to create an individualized treatment plan and monitor progress.

Evaluative Measure

Tool that detects change over time (e.g., PEDI-CAT, PDMS-2).

Discriminative Measure

Assessment that differentiates typical from atypical development (e.g., AIMS).

Predictive Measure

Instrument that forecasts future outcomes (e.g., TIMP for motor delay).

Righting Reactions

Automatic responses that align the head and body with gravity to maintain orientation.

Equilibrium Reactions

Complex postural adjustments restoring balance when the center of gravity is displaced.

Protective Reactions

Outstretched extremity responses that prevent injury during loss of balance.

Capacity (ICF)

What a child can do in a standardized environment or test situation.

Performance (ICF)

What a child actually does in daily, natural settings.

FLACC Scale

Behavioral pain assessment tool for infants/toddlers based on Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability.

Faces Pain Scale – Revised

Self-report tool where young children pick a face that best shows their pain level.

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

0–10 numeric/line scale used by older children to rate pain intensity.

Pediatric Documentation Challenge

Difficulty translating play-based therapy into measurable, functional, family-centered outcomes.

Developmental Hip Dysplasia (DDH)

Abnormal hip joint development ranging from instability to dislocation in infants.

Ortolani Test

Clinical maneuver that reduces a dislocated hip, felt as an anterior ‘clunk.’

Barlow Test

Provocative test that dislocates an unstable hip with posterior pressure to detect DDH.

Pavlik Harness

Orthosis holding hips in flexion and abduction to treat DDH in infants 0–6 months.

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT)

Unilateral shortening of the sternocleidomastoid causing head tilt and limited rotation.

Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI)

Numeric measure of cranial asymmetry often used to quantify plagiocephaly.

Environmental Adaptations (CMT)

Positioning toys, seating, and caregiver handling to encourage head turning toward the non-preferred side.

Tummy Time Dosage

Recommended 30–60 minutes of prone play daily (accumulated) to support neck strength and symmetry.

CMT Discharge Criteria

Full PROM within 5°, symmetrical movement, age-appropriate skills, no head tilt, and trained caregivers.

Intrauterine Constraint

Limited fetal movement due to uterine or positional factors; common risk for CMT and DDH.

Galeazzi Sign

Apparent leg-length discrepancy when knees are flexed, indicating possible hip dislocation.

Trendelenburg Gait

Lateral trunk lean while walking due to weak hip abductors, sometimes seen in late-detected DDH.