Make the Most of Summer Break With Focused Care and Real Progress
For many families, summer is a time to slow down, soak in the sunshine, and catch up on much-needed rest. But for children with neuromotor challenges or developmental delays, summer can be more than just a pause from school—it can be a turning point.
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic, we view summer not just as a break in routine, but as a golden window of opportunity. With fewer distractions and more flexibility, it’s the perfect time to focus on meaningful, measurable progress through intensive physical therapy.
What Is Intensive Physical Therapy?
Intensive physical therapy is a short-term, high-frequency treatment model where children attend multiple therapy sessions per week for several consecutive weeks. This model is about creating momentum. Using specialized tools and evidence-based interventions, intensive therapy is designed to:
- Strengthen muscles and improve motor planning
- Build endurance, balance, and coordination
- Support functional goals like walking, sitting, standing, or transferring
- Accelerate progress that may be slower in a weekly or bi-weekly therapy model
Our programs are tailored to each child’s specific needs, and may include:
- Universal Exercise Unit (UEU): A suspension system that targets isolated muscle groups
- Partial Weight Bearing Gait Training Systems: To assist in re-learning or improving walking
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): A therapy that uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate muscle movement
Why Summer Is Ideal for Intensive Therapy
1. No School = More Availability
With the academic year on pause, children’s schedules open up. That means more flexibility to attend therapy sessions during optimal hours, when kids are well-rested, focused, and ready to engage.
For many families, this also means fewer logistical headaches. There’s no need to juggle school pick-ups, homework time, or extracurricular activities. It’s easier to prioritize therapy and still have time for fun.
2. Focus on Function, Not Just Catching Up
Academic pressure can take a toll on children, especially those with additional challenges. Without that constant demand, summer therapy allows kids to focus their energy on physical goals.
Whether it’s strengthening a muscle group, learning to sit independently, or practicing stair navigation, intensive PT sessions help reinforce functional skills in a supportive, low-stress environment.
3. Preventing Summer Regression
It’s not uncommon for children who receive school-based therapy to experience regression during summer months when services pause. That can mean losing ground in balance, mobility, or strength, and having to start from scratch in the fall.
Intensive therapy fills that gap, helping kids not just maintain their progress but build on it. In many cases, children return to school with improved function and greater confidence.
4. School Readiness and Independence
The physical demands of school are often underestimated: walking long hallways, navigating stairs, carrying backpacks, managing the playground, or simply sitting upright for long periods.
Summer therapy programs can be structured around real-life school scenarios, giving children the strength, endurance, and coordination they’ll need to feel more comfortable and confident when September rolls around.
5. Faster Results With Focused Attention
The high-frequency nature of intensive therapy means therapists can closely track progress, fine-tune techniques, and respond to challenges in real time.
That level of responsiveness often leads to faster results, especially when paired with daily or near-daily reinforcement. When a child practices new skills five times a week instead of once, neural pathways develop more quickly, and habits stick.
Who Can Benefit from Intensive Physical Therapy?
Intensive programs are especially effective for children with diagnoses such as:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Developmental Delays
- Down Syndrome
- Neuromotor Disorders
- Torticollis
- Spina Bifida
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Needs
Whether your child is learning to crawl, trying to gain independence with walking, or recovering from surgery, an intensive therapy program can provide the structured support they need to reach their next milestone.
At Crawl Walk Jump Run, we also offer integrated programs that combine Physical Therapy with Occupational and Speech Therapy to support the whole child.
What Makes Our Program Different?
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all plans. Our summer intensives are:
- Individualized: Built around your child’s specific goals, interests, and medical needs
- Collaborative: PTs, OTs, and SLPs work together to provide seamless care
- Motivating: We incorporate play, games, and fun challenges to keep kids engaged
- Family-Centered: We coach parents and caregivers on how to support progress at home
Our team uses outcome-driven metrics and constant communication to ensure each child stays on track, and that families are always in the loop.
Setting Up for Success at Home
Therapy doesn’t end at the clinic door. To help carry gains into everyday life, we provide:
- Customized home exercise programs
- Parent/caregiver training and education
- Recommendations for adaptive equipment or modifications as needed
This ensures that progress continues even when sessions are over—and sets children up for long-term success.
Summer is a Season of Growth
Summer is a chance to leap forward. For many children, a few weeks of focused, high-quality therapy can unlock milestones that once felt out of reach.
If your child has a neuromotor condition, developmental delay, or is recovering from surgery, consider using this season to invest in their growth. You might be surprised by just how much progress is possible in a short period of time.
Let’s make this summer count. Contact Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic today to schedule an evaluation and learn how a personalized intensive physical therapy program can help your child move more, feel stronger, and live more independently.
