Our Services
Pediatric Therapy
Our pediatric physical therapists are specifically trained to help children learn to successfully and independently perform gross motor skills, functional mobility skills and improve the daily lives of children who suffer from a wide range of injuries and congenital conditions. The goal of our pediatric therapist is to work with the child and their family to help each child reach their maximum potential to function independently and to promote active participation at home, in school, and in the community. Pediatric patients range from infants to teenage competitive athletes, specifically 0 to 18 years of age, and young adults with childhood disorders.
What conditions can be treated with pediatric PT?
- Growing pains
- Neck and low back pain from school
- Sports injuries
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy
What is the pediatric PTs role?
Pediatric physical therapists evaluate and provide treatment for delays in motor skills by developing the strength and range of motion that children need to move through their environment easily and effectively. In addition to assessment of flexibility, strength, posture, gait, sensory processing, balance, coordination and skill, the pediatric therapist is trained to assess motor development using standardized testing for age equivalents. The long-term goal includes gross motor skill development solid to age with good quality to both sides of the body.
Pediatric physical therapy helps young athletes prevent injury by addressing any muscle imbalance or weakness, assessing and managing sport related injuries to help them to return to play after injury. A variety of treatment interventions are used including developmental activities, therapeutic exercise, balance and coordination activities, adaptive play activities, mobility training, safety and prevention programs, and activities to promote overall wellness.
Pediatric Physical Therapists
Jennifer Fontaine MPT - Clinic Manager, General orthopedics, Joint replacements, Pediatrics, Neurological rehab, Treatment of swimmers, Post-surgical rehab, Vestibular MPT
Specialization: Treatment of Pediatrics/Pediatric sports medicine, vestibular and neurologic rehabilitation and general orthopedics
Jennifer Fontaine’s career choice to be a physical therapist stems back to her volunteering experience at the University of Virginia’s spinal cord unit.
She had been alternating between PT and medical doctor and her observances at the unit proved the deciding factor.
“I worked with several young spinal cord patients and saw the difference in their interactions with their docs versus their PTs. The docs had to tell them the list of all the things that they would not be able to do again. The PTs were able to give them all the alternatives of what they would still be able to do for themselves. I liked being on the positive side of that equation.”
Fuelled with her mission, Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1996 from the University of Virginia. She then received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1999.
She is experienced in pediatric rehabilitation including brain/spinal cord injuries as well as developmental therapy. She now specializes in treatment of pediatrics/ pediatric sports medicine, vestibular and neurologic rehabilitation and general orthopedics.
In addition, she has spent time at Kluge Children’s Rehab Center (UVA).
When she is not working, Jennifer enjoys reading, being outdoors, hiking and playing with her children.
email: jenniferfo@acacpt.com