What role does a physical therapist play in evaluating a child for the Fit Kids program?

- A Physical Therapist (PT) is trained to evaluate the child muscular skeleton system.   

- The evaluation includes but not limited to the child’s: height, weight, flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness of their entire body.  

- The program is covered by most health care providers with the doctor’s referral.

- During the first visit the therapist spends an hour evaluating the child to ensure they have the ability to participate in the program.

- If the patient is physically able to participate in the program then a schedule is set up and goals and expectations are gone over to ensure success.

- If the therapist discovers something during the evaluation that would not allow a patient to participate, the physical therapist will contact the doctor and make their recommendation for treatment prior to allowing a child to participate in the program.    

- Children will be measured and weighed each week and charted for progress.

What makes the program different from other programs?

- Small class size – Usually 3 kids in a class per therapist.

- Eight week program with different age categories (Ages 6-9) and (Ages 10-17).

- Initial Program is designed for (2) one hour exercise classes in the clinic per week.

- After the evaluation, the physical therapist will develop a (1) hour Home Education Program (HEP) which the child will perform daily based off each individual's results of the initial evaluation.

- HEP exercise program is broken down to Thirty (30) minutes of assigned stretching and strengthen exercises and (30) minutes of aerobic exercise which their parents will chart there progress daily.

How does it work?

- A child needs to be referred to the program by his/her physician. 

- On the first day the child will receive a (1) hour evaluation by a licensed PT of their entire body.

- After the evaluation is complete, the PT will develop the (1) hour HEP for the child consisting of stretching, strengthen and aerobic exercises taylored for each individual's goals.

- Additionally, the child will participate in (2) one hour exercises classes with a therapist each week.

 - The child’s progress will be monitored weekly and monthly for a total of 12 weeks. 

- We have developed a weekly class where the parents and kids meet with a nutritionist for guidence on how to change or adjust there eating habits.

- At the end of the program the child will be discharged and have two options:

- Option #1 - The child can continue to participate in our exercise program on a self pay basic.

- Option #2 – The child can continue there exercises at home on their own. 

 

CALL 401-GET-WELL for more information or send an email to: info@401getwell.com


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