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Gait Intensive Program (Pediatric)

Standing Apart

At Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, we combine physical therapy with innovative technology to help children reach their goals and gain skills necessary to improve various aspects of their gait (or walking patterns).

Research shows brief episodes of physical therapy at an increased frequency and duration are necessary to regain lost function and acquire and/or improve motor skills.

Why Choose Us?

This program is available exclusively at Good Shepherd’s largest outpatient rehabilitation site, Hyland Center for Health & Technology in Allentown, where we provide orthopedic and neurologic physical, occupational and speech therapy for pediatric patients.

To get started, call our expert team at 610-776-3109.

  • Comfortable with Complex. As a leader in caring for complex kiddos throughout eastern Pennsylvania, Good Shepherd’s program is designed specifically to help children 12 months or older with severe developmental delays or neurological movement disorders.
  • Targeted Approach. We focus on specific skills during those key periods of development to help your child achieve goals faster.
  • Early Start, Greater Future. Early involvement sets the framework for continued and future growth and change for your child – resulting in needing less therapy as they grow older.

Who Can Benefit?

Our gait intensive program benefits children who may have plateaued in their progress with a traditional physical therapy schedule. Diagnoses include, but are not limited to:

  • Brain injury
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Developmental delays or significant motor skill difficulties
  • Down syndrome
  • Genetic syndromes
  • Spina bifida
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Stroke

Pediatric Gait Intensive Program Highlights

  • Short and Intense. The program is four weeks in length. Outpatient therapy is three days a week for three hours a day.
  • Improvements All Around. The benefits of intensive therapy include improved range of motion, strength, endurance, independence, and decreased falls.
  • Various Tech and Devices. In addition to working with Good Shepherd’s pediatric physical therapists for those three hours, your child will utilize appropriate technologies and devices determined by their care team, including the Therasuit, Spider Cage/Universal Exercise Unit, Trexo robotic assisted gait trainer, Whole Body Vibration, ZeroG and/or body-weight-support treadmill training, intensive locomotor training, and other equipment, including gait trainers, walkers, and Lite Gait. Learn more about our technology offerings with videos and details.
  • Splish Splash. We also incorporate aquatic therapy in our warm-water pool at Hyland Center, as appropriate for your child.
  • You’re Involved, Too. Parents are required to be present during the sessions to aid in therapy and learn techniques for the carryover of skills to the home setting, helping to reinforce the long-term benefits.
  • Contact Us First. All interested families must first undergo a phone consultation and submit an intake form to ensure eligibility. You’ll also need a prescription and medical clearance from your doctor. We’ll guide you through the entire process.

Spider Cage / Universal Exercise Unit

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Take the First Step Forward

At Good Shepherd, we’re here to help your child develop and grow stronger. Let us be your expert support on that journey.

Fill out our Become a Patient form or ask your doctor for a referral to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s pediatric gait intensive program. Or call 610-776-3109 and we’ll walk you through the process.