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Should I go into pediatric physical therapy, or no?

I'm looking to become a physical therapist assistant... and I've heard mixed reviews about pediatric PT. I know I'm very patient with kids. But what are the ups and downs of working with kids vs. working with adults?

spring25 healthcare physical-therapy college-bound physical-therapist
Thank you comment icon Do you have to pick just one? If you do pick one are you married to this choice? Let's say you work with adults for 2 years. And then switch to peds. Is this possible? Elyse Crotty
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Janelle’s Answer

You are correct that is certainly has its pros and cons. In my <1 yr experience with pediatric PT, here is what I've found so far:

Pros: personally, I find it the most fulfilling out of all the PT settings, but this will depend on the PT; 1 on 1 treatment time instead of being double or triple booked in typical outpatient settings; home health is huge with peds PT and offers great flexibility and pay; get to work with a variety of neuro and orthopedic diagnoses and use a broad skillset

Cons: difficult to document during treatment time so you may have to document at home if the clinic doesn't offer paid documentation time; outpatient settings typically have lower pay; can be overstimulating if you work in a clinic with multiple therapists treating in the same area, parents can be difficult to work with, high cancellation rate

Ultimately, it will depend on what you prioritize! For me, the fulfillment aspect is key to not getting burnt out, so peds is where I landed. If finances were a top priority, I probably would have done home health.
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Sanja’s Answer

Working with kids can be tough, but it's incredibly rewarding. I'm not a physical therapist, but we were lucky to have a fantastic one who worked with my son for a few years. Her dedication and skills helped him learn to walk! She was committed to helping him, and she succeeded. I believe pediatric physical therapy is a wonderful career to pursue.
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