Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an evidence-based practice in which physical therapists work with families and caregivers to increase a child’s participation in routines of daily life that are challenging. They promote opportunities during free play and structured play to develop and practice the movement skills common to your child’s age group. Physical therapists work on increasing strength and coordination and walking safely and efficiently in all needed environments, such as negotiating stairs.
Physical therapy can be very similar to Occupational therapy. Physical therapy focuses on improving the movement of the human body. Occupational therapy also deals with the physical condition, mobility, and rehabilitation, but its primary focus to helping people conduct their day to day activities, with ease.
Physical therapists work with parents and teachers to increase awareness about the impact of ASD on school functioning to minimize each child’s challenges and help make the school experience a positive one. Physical therapists recommend modifications and accommodations to support learning. Examples include using ball chairs to reduce “out-of-seat behaviors,” and using hula hoops, carpet squares, or specially placed seating to identify personal space. They provide whole-class movement breaks and use strategies like “motor learning” to teach the movement skills needed to participate in social games and peer interactions.
Physical therapists can provide direct help when needed to improve a child’s ability to negotiate challenges, such as school bus steps, crowded hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds. They work together with school teams to promote skills like self-regulation, listening, and taking turns. Strategies are provided to teach the child how to imitate the movement activities of other children and coordination as well as to promote success in physical education and fitness activities.
It is important to have a physical therapist who is experienced in treating individuals with ASD.
Local Resources
Brockton Physical Therapy
3908 10th St, Riverside, CA; (951) 274-7744
4343 Market St., Suite B, Riverside, CA; (951) 274-7744
164 W. Hospitality Ln, Suite 5, San Bernardino, CA; (951) 274-7744
www.brocktonpt.com
Sensory Integration specialist, Gross motor development specialist, Autism; Cerebral Palsy; Failure to thrive and all neurological and orthopedic conditions treated. Please call directly for further information or to schedule a free phone consultation.
Casa Colina – The A. Gary Anderson Children’s Services Center
255 East Bonita Avenue, Pomona, CA
(909) 596-7733 x4200 or 1-(800) 926-5462
www.casacolina.org
Offers occupational and physical therapy, private speech and language therapy, feeding therapy, early intervention classrooms, adaptive playground equipment that is wheelchair accessible and specialty doctors. Writing Workshops for children ages 6 -12 who struggle with the mechanics of writing cursive or printing are available in the summer. Most PPO’s accepted.
Children’s Physical Therapy and Wellness
44850 Las Palmas Avenue, Suite F, Palm Desert, CA
(760) 341-0222
https://childrensphysicaltherapyandwellness.com/services
A private Pediatric Physical Therapy practice based in Coachella Valley CA by Dr. Crizel Legaspi-Parto PT, DPT. She provides Physical Therapy to children of all ages. She has more than ten years of experience in different settings and dealt with array of patients from pediatric to geriatric.
Educational Therapy Assessment & Services (ETAS)
34590 County Lane Rd. Ste. 7, Yucaipa, CA
(909) 795-4255
https://e-t-a-s.co/
Insurance and Private/Parent Pay as well as IRC and District referrals. Provides the DAISY Project Diagnostic Screening Clinic as well as Occupational, Physical, Speech, Behavioral and Developmental Therapy Services. Provides early intervention services to infants, 0-3 Infant ABA/Early Autism Intervention; 3-6 Preschool ABA/Intensive Autism Intervention; Before/After School and School Break Social Mixers for preschool and elementary age students at various locations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, including the Coachella Valley; and onsite and in-home respite care. In addition, offers a parent Retreat Program 1st Sat. an evening of the month 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for children with autism and their siblings. Reservations Required. Serves children and their families throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, including desert and mountain regions.
Horizon Therapy Services
8265 White Oak Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
(909) 373-1641
http://horizontherapyservices.com
Provides Physical and Occupational Therapy, along with Speech and Language Pathology services and feeding therapy.
Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy
2200 Hamner Ave, Ste 107, Norco, CA
(951) 340-0431
leapsandboundspediatrictherapy.org
Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy is dedicated to providing specialized services for children and adults who have challenges participating in typical age-appropriate activities. Our highly trained team works together to deliver individualized family-centered care for each person. Our team of PATH International Certified riding instructors and physical, occupational and speech therapists are professionals committed to the highest standards of practice. We offer Clinical Rehabilitation Services (including treatments on horseback), Equine Assisted Activities and Adaptive Riding for recreation, socialization, or fitness.
Littlefield Physical Therapy Inc.
41421 Date St. #101, Murrieta, CA
(855) 454 3784
http://littlefieldpt.com/
Offers Physical Therapy and Occupational therapy (Mon-Fri 8:30-6:00 pm).
Loma Linda University Medical Center Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation
11406 Loma Linda Drive, Loma Linda, CA
(909) 558-6144 or (909)558-6002
http://lomalindahealth.org/
Outpatient Rehabilitation offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech and language pathology. Accepts Medi-Cal, many insurances, and private pay. A physician referral may be needed.
Rapha Physical Therapy
4959 Palo Verde Street, Suite 104A, Montclair, CA
(909) 971-3092
http://raphapt.com/
Work with children in the clinic, homes and schools. Provide a number of services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, services as well as specialized health education classes to meet the needs of the ones we serve. Accepts many insurances including IEHP and Molina.
Thrive Pediatrics
757 W Redlands Blvd, Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 783-1111
https://www.thrivepediatrics.com/
Provides physical, occupational and speech therapy. Ages: 0-8 years of age. Accepts most major insurance including: BlueShield, Blue Cross, Kaiser, and Inland Regional Center.
Up & Movin’ Pediatric Physical Therapy
6180 Brockton Avenue, Suite 202, Riverside, CA
(951) 684-6500
www.upandmovintherapy.com
Besides offering physical, speech and occupational therapy, Offers yoga classes, dance Classes, Fitness For Kids, Language & Literacy Classes, Social Skills Groups, Cooking & Eating For The Picky Eater, Handwriting & Crafts, Sensory Exploration & Motor Skills Development and Toddler Play & Move. Accepts over 20 different insurances.
Autism Society Options Policy
This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.
All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
