Pediatric Neurological Therapy Bozeman

Pediatric PT, OT, and speech therapy in Bozeman, MT for cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, and genetic syndromes.

Pediatric physical therapist guiding a child with a neurological condition through a balance and coordination activity at Root Pediatrics in Bozeman, Montana

What to Expect

Hands-On Movement Support

Skilled, hands-on guidance that helps a child build smoother, more functional movement

Play-Based & Motivating

Engaging activities that work toward precise movement goals through play

Milestone-Focused Goals

Clear, functional goals tracked over time so you can see the progress

Family-Centered Care

Parents as partners — home programs and caregiver coaching at every visit

Pediatric Neurological Therapy at Root Pediatrics in Bozeman

When a child lives with a neurological condition — cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy, a genetic syndrome, or another diagnosis affecting the brain, spinal cord, or nerves — therapy isn’t a single phase. It’s a long-term partnership that shifts focus across childhood. Root Pediatrics in Bozeman provides pediatric PT, OT, and speech therapy with skilled hands-on care, a team that works together, and close coordination with your child’s medical team.

Our clinicians work alongside your child’s doctors, specialists, and school team so your child gets consistent care across every setting.

Conditions We Treat

Cerebral palsy — we treat all forms and all severity levels, with an emphasis on functional movement, heading off secondary complications, and managing equipment.

Traumatic brain injury and concussion — pediatric concussion follows similar principles to adult concussion (see our concussion page), with extra attention to a child’s development. A severe brain injury needs longer motor and cognitive rehabilitation.

Muscular dystrophy — Duchenne, Becker, and congenital forms. Therapy balances activity with energy conservation, manages the risk of tight joints, and supports adaptive changes as the condition progresses.

Down syndrome — early motor-milestone support, help with low muscle tone, and attention to the orthopedic issues these children can be prone to.

Spina bifida — support for lower-body movement and sensation, and help with bracing and mobility equipment.

Genetic syndromes — Rett, Angelman, Prader-Willi, Williams, fragile X, and others, each with its own movement and developmental profile.

Epilepsy — motor support, balance and coordination work, and safe-activity planning, coordinated with your child’s neurologist.

Hereditary neuropathies — conditions like Charcot-Marie-Tooth that affect the nerves; we focus on foot and hand function, balance, and bracing.

Movement disorders — dystonia, ataxia, tics, and Tourette syndrome.

Global developmental delay — delays across several areas that call for coordinated PT, OT, and speech support.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Evaluation

  • Delayed motor milestones
  • Uneven movement, persistent fisting, or dragging a leg
  • Losing skills they had previously gained
  • Unusual muscle tone (high or low) or tremors
  • Trouble with feeding, swallowing, or mouth coordination
  • Speech and language delays alongside movement concerns
  • A diagnosed neurological condition that needs therapy

What Therapy Looks Like at Root Pediatrics

  1. Comprehensive evaluation (60 minutes) — developmental and medical history, a look at how your child moves, a check of tone and reflexes, and an equipment review.
  2. Functional goal-setting with the family — concrete, measurable targets tied to what matters in your child’s life.
  3. Hands-on treatment — skilled movement facilitation, walking practice, sensory support, and play-based motor work.
  4. Equipment and bracing — braces, walkers, standing frames, gait trainers, and wheelchairs, coordinated with your child’s doctors and providers.
  5. Home program — practical exercises, positioning strategies, and equipment use that fit family routines.
  6. Medical and school coordination — updates to your child’s care team, school input, and equipment paperwork.
  7. Regular re-assessment with goals updated as your child develops.

Why Bozeman Families Choose Root Pediatrics for Neurological Therapy

  • Experienced pediatric therapists — skilled, hands-on care for children’s neurological conditions.
  • Team under one roof — PT, OT, and speech working together with shared planning.
  • Long-term care partnership — we plan for the long arc of childhood, not just the next few weeks.
  • Medical and school coordination — your child’s doctors, school team, and equipment providers all kept aligned.
  • Full 1-on-1, play-based sessions — no group rotations, no aides running protocols.
  • Montana Medicaid welcome alongside major commercial 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 evaluation today — most families are seen within the same week.

Core Techniques We Use

Hands-On Movement Facilitation

Skilled hands-on guidance to ease tight or unusual muscle tone and help a child develop functional movement.

Gait Training & Mobility

Walking and mobility practice matched to your child's level, with support as needed.

Sensory Support

Addressing the sensory-processing challenges that can affect movement, attention, and learning.

Adaptive Equipment & Bracing

Help choosing and using braces, walkers, standing frames, gait trainers, and wheelchairs — coordinated with your child's doctors and equipment providers.

Building Use of a Weaker Side

Focused, playful work that encourages a child to use a weaker arm or leg more — helpful after one-sided cerebral palsy or a brain injury.

Who Benefits from This Service?

Cerebral Palsy (Spastic, Dyskinetic, Ataxic, Mixed) Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion Spinal Cord Injury Down Syndrome Muscular Dystrophy (Duchenne, Becker, Congenital) Spina Bifida Genetic Syndromes (Rett, Angelman, Prader-Willi, etc.) Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders Hereditary Neuropathies (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) Movement Disorders (Dystonia, Ataxia, Tics) Global Developmental Delay

Why Choose Root Therapy and Wellness?

Experienced Pediatric Therapists

Clinicians who work with children's neurological conditions and the hands-on, developmental care they need.

Team Under One Roof

PT, OT, and speech therapy work together in one place for children with complex, multi-system needs.

Long-Term Care Partnership

Neurological conditions need ongoing support across childhood — we plan for the long arc, not just the next few weeks.

Medical & School Coordination

We work with your child's doctors, school team, and equipment providers so everyone's on the same plan.

Ready to get started?

No referral needed for most plans. Most insurance accepted.

5.0 out of 5
The staff are friendly, easy to talk to and helpful. Kezia explained to me how scar tissue from surgery can keep the muscles in a tight position. Even with physical therapy the muscles will revert back to the tight position even while keeping up with physical therapy exercises. This is new to me and I can feel everything loosening up. I'm excited to see how much this can help.
— S.G. Google review · March 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

What pediatric neurological conditions do you treat?
Cerebral palsy in all its forms, traumatic brain injury and concussion, spinal cord injury, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophies, spina bifida, genetic syndromes (such as Rett, Angelman, and Prader-Willi), epilepsy and seizure-related challenges, hereditary neuropathies, and movement disorders including dystonia, ataxia, and tics.
How early can therapy start?
As early as the first weeks of life. For neurological conditions, starting early takes advantage of how readily a young child’s brain adapts. Many conditions have better long-term outcomes when therapy begins in the first year or two.
What does therapy look like for a child with cerebral palsy?
Sessions are play-based and shaped around your child’s movement. We use gentle hands-on guidance to ease tone and build smoother movement, along with strength and flexibility work, walking practice, and equipment training. The goals are practical — sitting, standing, walking, reaching, and self-care.
Can you help with complications like tight joints or scoliosis?
Yes. A big part of long-term care is heading off the secondary problems — tight joints, hip issues, and spinal curves — that can develop over time with many neurological conditions. Stretching, positioning, bracing, and strengthening are all part of the plan.
Do you provide equipment recommendations?
Yes. We help assess and train on braces, walkers, standing frames, gait trainers, wheelchairs, and other adaptive equipment, and we coordinate with providers and your insurance for fittings and paperwork.
Will you coordinate with my child's doctors?
Yes. We regularly communicate with your child’s physicians and specialists. Coordinated care matters especially around medical treatments for tone and around any surgical decisions, so everyone is working toward the same goals.
How often will my child need therapy?
It depends on the condition, age, and current goals. Many children with significant neurological involvement do well with one to a few sessions a week, often easing off as they build skills or alternating more-intensive stretches with maintenance. We re-assess regularly.
Does Montana Medicaid cover pediatric neurological therapy?
Yes. Montana Medicaid covers pediatric PT, OT, and speech therapy when medically necessary. We also accept most major commercial health insurance plans in Montana.
Will my child need therapy forever?
Many children with ongoing neurological conditions benefit from therapy in some form across childhood, but the intensity changes over time — more-intensive periods alternating with maintenance, adjusted as goals change. We talk through long-term planning openly with families.

Conditions We Treat with This Service

Cerebral Palsy Traumatic Brain Injury Down Syndrome Muscular Dystrophy Spina Bifida Genetic Syndromes Movement Disorders

Last updated

Supporting your child through a neurological condition?

Pediatric PT, OT, and speech in Bozeman — coordinated with your medical team and school. Montana Medicaid welcome.

Most insurance accepted, including Montana Medicaid · Serving Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Four Corners & the Gallatin Valley · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

Prefer we reach out to you?

Leave your details and we’ll get back to you — or call us now at (406) 219-5388.

We’ll only use this to get back to you — see our privacy policy.

Call Now Text Us

Request a callback

Leave your details and we’ll get back to you.

We’ll only use this to get back to you — see our privacy policy.