Cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong neurological disorders that affect a person's ability to move, control muscles, and maintain balance and posture. It is caused by abnormal brain development or an injury to the developing brain, usually before or just after birth. It affects muscle tone, coordination, and motor control, and it is not progressive — the brain change does not worsen, though its effects on the body can change as a child grows. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are a standard part of care, and at Root Pediatrics in Bozeman that care is delivered one-on-one.
Cerebral Palsy Therapy in Bozeman: Building Function, Not Chasing a Cure
Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability of childhood, and it looks different in every child — from a child who walks independently but tires quickly to a child who uses a wheelchair full time. What the presentations share is this: movement is harder than it should be, and targeted therapy makes more of it possible.
Pediatric therapy at Root Pediatrics in Bozeman is delivered one-on-one by physical, occupational, and speech therapists. We do not diagnose cerebral palsy and we do not manage it medically — that belongs with your child’s physician. What we do is the functional work: strength, mobility, hand skills, communication, and staying ahead of the tightness that tends to build over years.
What Therapy Actually Targets
- Gross motor skills — sitting, standing, transfers, walking, stairs, and endurance for a full school day.
- Range of motion and tightness — the ankles, knees, hips, and elbows most affected by tone.
- Balance and safety — postural control on real surfaces, not just clinic floors.
- Hand function and daily living — dressing, utensils, handwriting, self-care.
- Communication, chewing, and swallowing — where these are affected.
- Equipment fit — braces, orthotics, walkers, and seating, re-checked as your child grows.
What to Expect at the First Visit
- Evaluation (60 minutes) — your history and priorities, a look at how your child moves, and assessment of tone, range of motion, strength, and functional skills.
- Findings in plain language — what we see, what is contributing, and what therapy would target first.
- A plan with real goals — written around what your family wants your child to be able to do.
- Home strategies — positioning, stretching, and play that carry the work between visits.
- Periodic re-assessment — goals and equipment fit reviewed together as your child grows.
Why Bozeman Families Choose Root Pediatrics
- Full one-on-one sessions — your child’s therapist is present for the whole visit.
- PT, OT, and speech in one place, coordinating directly rather than working in parallel.
- Function-first goals set with the family, not from a protocol.
- Coordination with pediatricians, neurologists, orthopedists, and schools.
- Direct access — no referral needed for physical therapy in Montana.
- Most insurance accepted, with benefits verified before your first visit.
Take the First Step
If you have questions about what therapy could target for your child, an evaluation is the place to start. Call or text (406) 219-5388 or request an appointment — Root Therapy and Wellness, 1283 N 14th Ave, Suite 101, Bozeman.
Our Treatment Approach
- Progressive Strengthening — Graded strength work targeting the muscle groups that support sitting, standing, transfers, and walking.
- Hands-On Manual Therapy — Gentle joint and soft-tissue work for tightness and restricted range, often paired with stretching a family can continue at home.
- Progressive Balance Retraining — Postural control and balance challenges graded to your child's current ability, building toward safer movement in real environments.
- Movement Retraining — Gait and transfer practice, motor planning, and repetition of the specific patterns your child is working toward.
- Adaptive Equipment & Orthotics — We fit orthotics and braces and re-check them as your child grows, coordinating specialty fitting with outside resources where it's needed — plus recommendations for walkers and seating.
- Fine Motor & Daily Living Skills — Occupational therapy for hand skills, dressing, utensils, handwriting, and the self-care routines that build independence.
- Feeding & Communication Support — Speech and occupational therapy for chewing, swallowing, speech clarity, and communication — including communication devices where they help.
- Family Coaching — Practical home strategies, positioning guidance, and what to watch for between visits, so progress carries into everyday routines.