Gross Motor Disability Therapy Bozeman

Gross Motor Disability Therapy at Root Pediatrics in Bozeman

When a child is missing developmental milestones, falling more than other kids, or struggling with playground and PE activities, structured pediatric therapy can make a real difference. Root Pediatrics in Bozeman provides physical and occupational therapy for children with gross motor disabilities — cerebral palsy, hypotonia, Down syndrome, developmental coordination disorder, spina bifida, and global developmental delay — in a 1-on-1, play-based, family-centered model.

Our pediatric PTs and OTs work alongside speech therapy under one roof and coordinate with your child’s doctors and school team so progress carries over from clinic to home to classroom.

What Are Gross Motor Disabilities?

Gross motor disabilities affect the large-muscle movements that drive walking, running, jumping, climbing, and balance. They span several diagnostic categories:

Developmental and motor-learning conditions

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) — learning and coordinating movement comes slowly, even when a child is otherwise healthy and developing typically.
• Global Developmental Delay — coordinated delays across multiple developmental domains.
• Hypotonia (low muscle tone) — delayed initiation, fatigue with sustained activity, and difficulty holding postures.

Neurological conditions

• Cerebral palsy — spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, or mixed presentations.
• Spina bifida — variable lower-extremity motor and sensory involvement.
• Acquired brain injury — concussion sequelae, post-stroke, or post-trauma.
• Muscular dystrophy — progressive muscle weakening managed with energy conservation and adaptive strategies.

Genetic syndromes — Down syndrome, Prader-Willi, and others with characteristic motor profiles.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from an Evaluation

• Not sitting independently by 9 months or walking by 18 months
• Frequent falls or visible clumsiness compared to peers
• Toe walking past age 2
• Avoidance of playground equipment, climbing, or physical play
• Difficulty with PE activities or keeping up in sports
• Asymmetric movement, dragging a leg, or abnormal gait
• Diagnosed condition (CP, Down syndrome, spina bifida, MD) needing motor support

What Therapy Looks Like at Root Pediatrics

1. Comprehensive evaluation (about an hour) — developmental history, a look at how your child moves, walks, and balances, and a check of strength, tone, and any equipment needs.
2. Goal setting with the family — concrete, measurable goals tied to the activities your child wants to do.
3. Play-based 1-on-1 sessions — obstacle courses, swings, climbing structures, balance work, and games that fold in the therapy goals.
4. Strength, balance, and coordination work matched to age and ability.
5. Bracing and equipment recommendations — braces, walkers, and adaptive devices, coordinated with your child’s physician.
6. Home program — short, doable activities families can integrate into routines.
7. School and medical coordination — IEP/504 alignment, pediatrician communication, multi-disciplinary planning.

Age-Specific Approach

• 0–3 years (Early Intervention age): parent coaching, milestone support, play-based developmental work.
• 3–5 (Preschool): preparation for school activities, peer-play skills, basic motor pattern refinement.
• 6–12 (School-age): PE participation, sport adaptation, classroom mobility, homework-task tolerance.
• 13–18 (Adolescence): community participation, advanced mobility, sport, transition planning, life skills.

Why Bozeman Families Choose Root Pediatrics

• Pediatric PTs and OTs — clinicians who focus on children.
• Team under one roof — PT, OT, and speech therapy working together.
• Full 1-on-1, play-based sessions — every session is individually delivered and child-led.
• Family-centered — parents are involved, coached, and given home strategies that fit family life.
• School and medical coordination — school teams and your child’s doctors kept aligned.
• Montana Medicaid welcome — alongside most major Montana health insurance plans.

Take the First Step

Starting earlier gives a developing child more to build on, but meaningful gains are possible at every age. Request an appointment to schedule a comprehensive evaluation — most families are seen within the same week.