Pediatric Coordination & Balance Therapy in Durham & Chapel Hill
What is Coordination & Balance Challenges?
Coordination and balance difficulties can affect children of all ages and may appear differently depending on the child’s age and developmental stage. Some children may appear clumsy or frequently trip and fall, while others may avoid physical activities altogether because movement feels difficult or frustrating.
Pediatric Difficulties with Coordination and Balance
Signs & Symptoms
Children with coordination and balance challenges may have difficulty with:
- Walking, running, or jumping
- Climbing stairs safely
- Standing on one foot
- Riding a bike or scooter
- Catching or kicking a ball
- Maintaining posture while sitting at school
- Navigating playground equipment
- Motor planning and body awareness
- Core strength and stability
- Hand-eye coordination
- Participating in sports or PE activities
These challenges may be associated with developmental delays, sensory processing difficulties, neurological conditions, low muscle tone, vestibular concerns, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), genetic disorders, or other pediatric diagnoses.
Parents may notice signs such as:
- Frequent falls or tripping
- Difficulty keeping up with peers physically
- Fear of playground equipment or climbing
- Poor posture or low endurance
- Difficulty learning new motor skills
- Trouble balancing on uneven surfaces
- Delayed gross motor milestones
- Difficulty with coordination during sports
- Avoidance of movement-based activities
- Struggles with body awareness and spatial awareness
If you are concerned about your child’s motor development or balance skills, early intervention can make a significant difference in helping your child build confidence and improve functional skills.
How Therapy Smarts Supports Children with
Coordination and Balance
While a diagnosis of Coordination and Balance Difficulties comes with unique challenges, it also comes with incredible potential. At Therapy Smarts, our multidisciplinary team in Durham and Chapel Hill works together to create a customized “roadmap” that helps your child hit their milestones and gain independence.
Building Strength and Mobility (Physical Therapy)
Many children with Coordination and Balance issues experience hypotonia (low muscle tone) and ligament laxity. Our Pediatric Physical Therapists focus on:
Strengthening core muscles to support sitting, crawling, and walking.
Improving balance and coordination to help with playground play and sports.
Providing orthotic recommendations to ensure proper joint alignment as your child grows.
Developing Independence and Fine Motor Skills (Occupational Therapy)
Our Occupational Therapists (OTs) focus on “the job of being a kid.” We help children master the daily skills they need for home and school, including:
Fine Motor Coordination: Strengthening small hand muscles for writing, using scissors, or buttoning clothes.
Self-Care Skills: Practical training for feeding themselves, dressing, and grooming.
Sensory Integration: Helping children process information from their environment so they can stay focused and calm in the classroom.
Wondering About Developmental Milestones?
Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.
Ready to Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential?
At Therapy Smarts, we don’t believe in a “wait and see” approach. We believe in early, expert intervention that gives your child the tools they need to thrive. Whether you are looking for specialized Coordination and Balance support or a comprehensive developmental evaluation, our award-winning team in Durham and Chapel Hill is ready to partner with your family.
Two Easy Ways to Begin:
Contact Us Directly: Ready to schedule? Call us at 919-378-1340.
Fill out our Online Inquiry Form to speak with a member of our intake team.
Don’t navigate this journey alone—let’s unlock your child’s possibilities together
