Care Team, Therapy & Support

Physical therapy

Physical therapy helps a child develop movement, strength, balance, and motor skills.

In short: Physical therapy

  • It supports motor development and mobility.
  • It can help children with movement-related needs.
  • It is provided by a physical therapist.
  • It is often part of early intervention.

What it is

It is a therapy focused on developing movement, strength, balance, and gross motor skills (like sitting, crawling, and walking). It is provided by a physical therapist.

Understanding Physical therapy

For a child with encephalocele who has movement-related needs — for example, due to associated conditions affecting motor development — physical therapy can support the development of strength, balance, and mobility. The therapist tailors activities to the child's needs and works with the family on exercises and goals. Physical therapy is often part of early intervention and ongoing developmental support.

Why it matters

Understanding physical therapy helps families see how movement and motor skills are supported, and how a physical therapist tailors activities to help a child develop strength, balance, and mobility.

Common questions

What does physical therapy help with?

Movement, strength, balance, and motor skills.

Who provides it?

A physical therapist.

Is it part of early intervention?

Often yes.

Bottom line

Physical therapy supports a child's movement, strength, and motor development, often as part of early intervention.

Browse all 265 Encephalocele definitions

Read the Encephalocele patient guides

Not sure which page you need? Put words to it with the symptom navigator

What AURORA is building for Encephalocele