If your child has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP), finding the right pediatric physical therapy team can make all the difference in helping your child grow, gain independence, and reach important developmental milestones. At Therapy Smarts, our experienced pediatric physical therapists proudly provide comprehensive pediatric therapy services for families across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Apex, and surrounding Triangle communities.
Our pediatric physical therapy team specializes in helping children with Cerebral Palsy improve strength, coordination, balance, mobility, posture, and gross motor development through individualized treatment plans designed specifically for each child’s unique needs.
How Pediatric Physical Therapy Helps Children with Cerebral Palsy
Children with Cerebral Palsy often experience muscle tightness, weakness, balance difficulties, delayed motor milestones, or challenges with walking and coordination. Early intervention and consistent pediatric physical therapy can help children build the foundational skills needed for everyday activities at home, school, and in the community.
At Therapy Smarts, our pediatric physical therapists help children with Cerebral Palsy work toward:
- Improving balance and coordination
- Building strength and endurance
- Increasing flexibility and range of motion
- Walking independently or with assistive devices
- Climbing stairs safely
- Improving posture and body awareness
- Enhancing gross motor skills
- Meeting developmental milestones
- Preventing muscle tightness and joint stiffness
Our therapy sessions are play-based, engaging, and designed to motivate children while helping them make meaningful progress in a supportive environment.
Why Families Across the Triangle Choose Therapy Smarts
Families searching for pediatric physical therapy for Cerebral Palsy in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Apex choose Therapy Smarts because of our compassionate, multidisciplinary approach to pediatric care.
Therapy Smarts offers:
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- ABA therapy
- Mental health services
- Psychological evaluations
All under one roof.
Our clinic-based therapy model gives children access to sensory gyms, specialized equipment, and one-on-one support that helps maximize progress and participation. We work closely with families to create personalized therapy goals while providing parent education and support every step of the way.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Pediatric Physical Therapy
Parents may consider a pediatric physical therapy evaluation if their child with Cerebral Palsy has:
- Delayed crawling or walking
- Difficulty balancing or coordinating movements
- Frequent falls
- Muscle stiffness or tight muscles
- Toe walking
- Trouble climbing stairs
- Challenges with posture
- Fatigue during play
- Delayed gross motor milestones
Our team understands how important early support can be. We are here to help children build confidence, independence, and functional skills in a positive and encouraging setting.
Pediatric Therapy Services in Durham & Chapel Hill
Therapy Smarts proudly serves families throughout:
- Raleigh
- Durham
- Chapel Hill
- Hillsborough
- Apex
- Cary
- Morrisville
- The greater Triangle area
If you have any questions about our services, would like to learn more about how we support children and families, or are ready to schedule an appointment with one of our therapists, we’re one phone call away. Our team would be happy to talk through your concerns, answer any questions, and guide you through the next steps.
Please feel free to call our main office line at (919) 378-1340 to connect with us today. We look forward to supporting your family.
ABOUT THERAPY SMARTS
Through play therapy, exploration of their environment, and joyful engagement- Therapy Smarts of Durham and Chapel Hill help improve your child’s communication, motor, behavior, & social skills. Click below to learn more about our services.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Are you a pediatric therapist looking to grow your career with a supportive, innovative team? Join Therapy Smarts of Durham and Chapel Hill — recently ranked #1,792 on Inc. Magazine’s 2025 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America!
We’re passionate about helping children thrive — and helping our team members do the same. Apply today!
Pediatric Physical Development & Milestones Checklist
If you have any questions about your child’s physical development, browse our parent checklist below and give us a call today.
Holds head in alignment
- Tracks an object
- Moves arms and legs when laying on back
- Lifts head a little when laying on belly, can prop on elbows
- Brings hands together when laying on back
- Props on elbows in prone with neck extension
- Rolls back to side
- Grasps rattle when placed in hand
- Likes looking at a human face more than other things
- Responds to a smile with a smile
- Looks into caregiver’s face and eyes with interest
- Reaches toward and touches toy
- Hits at dangling objects with hands
- Sitting using hands for support and starting to sit independently
- Grabs both feet and holds them when on back
- Brings feet to mouth
- Reaches to a toy when playing on belly
- Props on extended arms when on belly
- Begins to belly crawl
- Rolls back to belly
- Holds and shakes a toy
- Puts fingers in mouth
- Smiles at self in front of mirror
- Assumes hands and knees position (all fours)
- Transfers from sitting to hands and knees position (all fours)
- Rocks back and forth on hands and knees for 5 seconds
- Creeps forward on hands and knees
- Scoots forward in sitting for 3 feet
- Pivots in sitting 90 degrees to both sides
- Walks with two hands held
- Transitions to stand using hands and feet
- Walks 8 feet with one hand held
- Walks 5 steps independently
- Traps a ball with arms and hands in sitting
- Maintains kneeling position on knees for 5 seconds
- Stoops to retrieve object from the floor without using a stable surface and takes 3 steps
- Rolls a ball 3 feet forward in sitting
- Flings a small ball while standing
- Creeps downstairs independently
- Walks upstairs with both rails – non alternating
- Lifts foot to contact ball
- Throws ball overhand without loosing balance
- Walks fast
- Walks Backward 5 steps
- Walks downstairs with support of one finger, non-alternating
- Runs forward 10 feet
- Stands heel to toe on a line for 2 seconds
- Kicks ball 3 feet
- Throws ball overhand 3 feet
- Rides a push bike
- Jumps forward 4 inches
- Jumps up 2 inches
- Jumps down from step
- Walks upstairs without rail
- Throws ball underhand 3 feet
- Kicks ball 3 feet with direction
- Climbs up jungle gym
- Walks down 4 steps without rail
- Walks backward for 10 feet
- Presents arms and attempts to catch ball
- Negotiates slide independently
- Takes three consecutive steps when walking on a line – hands on hips
- Walks upstairs with a rail alternating feet
- Throws ball 7 feet overhand
- Walks across a 6 inch balance beam
- Runs 45 feet in 6 seconds
- Jumps forward 26 inches
- Throws ball overhand
- Throws ball underhand to hit target from 5 feet
- Stands on one foot with hands on hips for 5 seconds
- Walks 4 feet on a line with hands on hips
- Catches large ball hands only 5 feet (not using chest to trap the ball)
- Climbs down rock wall independently
- Stands on tiptoes with arms overhead for 3 seconds
- Walks downstairs without a rail using an alternating pattern
- Hops forward 6 inches on 1 foot
- Throws ball overhand to hit target from 5 feet
- Stands on tiptoes for 8 seconds
- Walks backwards on a line 5 steps with hands on hips
- Performs a forward roll
- Gallops 10 feet
- Throws overhand to hit target from 12 feet
- Bounces a ball so it hits floor then wall
- Catches a small ball thrown from 5 feet hands only
- Rides a 2 wheeler with training wheels
- Rides a 2 wheeled scooter
- By 4.5 years old stands on one foot for 6 seconds
- Imitates 4 positions with arms and legs
- Jumps forward 36 inches
- Performs a turning jump
- Hops forward 3 feet on each foot
- Jumps over 10 inch hurdle
- Skips 8 feet
- Pumps self on swing
- Able to jump over a partner turned jump rope
- Able to roller skate – without coordination
- Stands on one foot for 10 seconds with hands on hips
- Performs 3 sit-ups in 30 seconds
- Jumps sideways over a line 3 cycles
- Skips 10 feet
- Skips 10 feet
- Jumps over 10 inch hurdle
- Skips 10 feet
- Able to jump over a self turned jump rope several consecutive times
- Performs 5 sit-ups in 30 seconds
- Performs 8 push-ups in 20 seconds
- Hops 20 feet in 6 seconds
- Kicks a ball 12 feet in the air
- Bounce catches a ball with one hand
- Takes three consecutive steps on a 2 inch balance beam
- Able to roller skate – with coordination
- Able to perform the monkey bars
- Drop kicks a ball with direction
- Able to Rollerblade
- Runs with good coordination
- Able to perform sit-ups
- Skips, alternating feet
- Performs jumping jacks
- Able to hop on one foot several times consecutively
- Throws a ball and hits target
- Swings without being pushed & pumps legs to keep the swing going
