The Physical Therapy Department staff concentrate on Developmental and Functional Mobility Skill training. They oversee the orthopedic status of students and adults, as well as wheelchair positioning and trunk and lower extremity bracing programs. The main focus in the Children's Program is Developmental Skill training, which might be as simple as learning to roll, or as advanced as learning to walk across a balance beam. Our therapists are just as enthusiastic about seeing a child develop the muscle control to be able to hold his or her head in an upright position for 20 seconds as they are to see a child learn to crawl. In the Adult Program, treatment is focused on functional independence in mobility. Many adults are still learning new skills or require concentrated work to not lose skills. Customized programs are designed to meet each person’s unique physical challenge. Muscle stretching, bracing, and tone management are important for both programs as are the adaptive equipment pieces such as standers, gait trainers, and walkers.
The PT department holds monthly wheelchair clinics. They also work closely with the treating Orthopedist and Physiatrist in either an IDDI sponsored clinic or community based office visit. The Physical Therapy department assists the Occupational Therapy Department with brace clinic, and works closely with the Nursing Department when one of our students or adults undergoes orthopedic surgery. With limits on insurance coverage, many hospitals discharge patients before they are ready to return to residential care. Oftentimes, IDDI is able to provide the needed recuperative time, and our physical therapy staff provide evaluation and staff training on precautions and adaptive strategies for post-operative mobility. Once the person is able to be discharged, staff training is provided to all those responsible for the person's care. The Physical Therapy Department continues to follow the treatment and progress of the individual until the healing process is completed and the surgeon places him or her on a maintenance schedule.