Pediatric physical therapists who treat infants and toddlers are specialists trained to treat movement and functional dysfunctions. They are concerned with providing the child the necessary environmental stimuli and proper cues to enhance development.

A primary role by the physical therapist includes enhancing the stimuli and learning process normally provided to the child through play and exploration. This also includes assisting the child into several positions and several movements. All with the goal of enhancing the child's sensorimotor processing and overall learning. Physical therapy may play a critical component in the child's achievement of functional independence and integration into the school system. A physical therapist will perform the gross motor examination to assist in determining the developmental age and abilities of the child. From this information the therapist will determine functional goals such as rolling or sitting independently, ambulatory skills, improved motor control and planning, and improving quality of life. They also participate in deciding on assistive devices for the child, educating families on handling and positioning of the child, and teaching the child functional movement, stability, and skills as well as providing important sensory input to the child's compromised nervous system.

A major emphasis is on parent education. Parents have to know what to do at home because this is the primary environment of development for the child. The list of treatment options is vast. Pediatric therapists may help sensory dysfunctional children seek appropriate sensory stimulation that will improve neuromotor development. They will assist delayed children with exploring their environment through providing experiences. For example, a child not rolling at 6-7 months, will be taken through the sequence of rolling beginning with moderate to maximum assistance and decreasing assistance as the child learns the skill. So much sensory information is gained by movement. The therapist will assist the child with seeking this stimulation. Other areas of therapy include gait training, strengthening, weight bearing, functional and energy efficient movements...and so much more.

In Trails, cases commonly referred are the following: