Physical therapy programs help people throughout their lives

Nevaeh Higuera beamed with joy as she tossed a small, brightly colored ball to Fresno State physical therapy student Samantha Estes. As she tossed the ball back and forth on the small playground at the nonprofit Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Higuera took a step back, but quickly regained her balance and carefully, but with her confidence, eased herself across the pavement. I ran down.

Estes and his two classmates continue to engage in light play and activities while observing Higuera’s delicate movements. They are three of her 34 students in the Fresno State Doctor of Physical Therapy program participating in her six-week clinical experience in Exceptional Parental Unlimited, a prerequisite for her pediatrics course.

Higuera, now 2 years old, has been attending Exceptionalparents Unlimited since he was 3 months old. Born with Down syndrome, she faced developmental and physical challenges from an early age. Her mother, Lucero Gomez, was referred to a center that provides early intervention services for children with special needs.

For the past seven years, Exceptional Parents Unlimited and Fresno State University Department of Physical Therapy We have formed a mutually beneficial partnership that provides an opportunity for doctoral students to complete clinical hours and receive hands-on training at the Center under the supervision of Dr. Na-Hyun (Hannah) Ko, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at Fresno State. Masu. Chris Ramirez, a pediatric physical therapist and graduate of Fresno State University;

Coe said this partnership is critical because there is a shortage of pediatric physical therapists in the Valley.

“A few years ago, we did a study on the number of children in need of physical therapy services and found that here in the Central Valley there were over 240 children on the waiting list,” Coe said. . “Thus, this partnership evolved even further. I wanted my students to gain exposure to the field of pediatrics in a fun and rewarding way. Provided by Exceptionalparents Unlimited The clinical opportunities that we provide not only enhance our students’ learning experience, but also give them the opportunity to see if pediatrics is the specialty they want to pursue.”

Estes, a third-year physical therapy doctoral student, said the clinical internship piqued her interest in pediatrics.

“This experience working with young children helped me develop practical skills, both personal and professional, that will make me a better physical therapist in the future,” Estes said. “It also rekindled my passion for working with children.”

Estes, along with two other classmates, began with an assessment phase to identify Higuera’s developmental weaknesses and strengths, followed by a six-week intervention phase to hone Higuera’s balance and running skills through a series of creative activities. worked with Higuera over the years. Toys, instruments, shapes.

From learning how to roll, Higuera learned how to stand and is now able to walk with more confidence. Ramirez said this individualized attention is what makes clinical partnerships so important.

“Some of our children have been on the waiting list for a while, so this clinic will allow them to get treatment a little faster,” Dr. Ramirez said. “Perhaps the biggest impact is that this community collaboration between Exceptional Parents Unlimited and Fresno State supports families in real need.”

In addition to serving pediatric patients, the Department of Physical Therapy is committed to serving people of all ages, from young people like Higuera to the elderly. Through the Senior Wellness Clinic, free services are available to community members in the Central Valley region, as well as the mountain communities of Coarsegold and Oakhurst.

Similar to the pediatric clinic, services will be led by third-year doctoral students under the guidance of physical therapy faculty members Dr. Deborah Walker and Dr. Leslie Zarinhame. Throughout the clinic, clients are evaluated and assessed on multiple body systems, including the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, and integumentary (skin) systems. In addition, the medical examination will also screen for psychosocial issues related to depression and isolation.

All clients are provided with a home exercise plan tailored to their individual needs. The goal is to help older adults prevent injury and disability while maximizing healthy aging, independent lifestyles and recreation, Zarinhame said.

“By providing this service, we are reaching vulnerable populations who may not be able to access health care due to cost, transportation or other barriers,” Zarinhame added. Ta. “For our students, this clinic will allow us to collaborate and observe the vast differences in ability within the geriatric population, and will provide appropriate guidance to help clients gain strength and flexibility while improving balance and function.” It allows you to exercise.”

For more information about the Pediatric Partnership and Geriatric Clinic, please contact the Physical Therapy Department at 559.278.2625.