Cardinal Pediatric Therapy Services, PLLC

09/11/2025

Monday September 8 was "World Physical Therapy Day!"

🫣I missed it🫣

I didn't post because I was so engrossed in the DMI Level B Course

But I spent time in quiet reflection today, considering some of the phases of my journey, each a milestone in its own right:

📌PT School, where I was convinced I'd only ever work in a Lab
📌Hawaii, during an internship, where I fell in love with being a part of the TBI team
📌Alabama, where I found my home in pediatrics (and where I made a habit out of saving stray cats during EI visits...)
📌YCSD, where I took on leadership roles, collaborated, and had the audacity to not accept the bare minimum
📌To this moment, where I fervently let children and families authentically lead their therapy programs, where I laugh and teach and snuggle every day, and where I've found a treatment approach that matches everything I've always loved about this profession: Research, innovation, neuroplasticity, and of course, pediatrics.

I am so grateful every day for the children and families I work with and for every stepping stone that led me to the here and now.

07/26/2025

My favorite new walker and kids' shoe company Livie & Luca is going out of business 😭 but 70% off site wide!

06/27/2025

Dr. B is opening up 2-6 weeks long therapy intensives, DMI certified Level A, for your child in the comfort of your own home! We are looking to get started as soon as September. Contact CPTS with your interest to get scheduled today 💕

(Due to the nature of intensive, home based therapy programs, space will be limited.)

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

06/23/2025

Movement is one of the basic ways we interact with our environment. That's why it is so critical to find a means of moving that works for your body and personality.

Our kids are no different. Not every sport, extracurricular activity, or therapy program is a guaranteed fit for your kid. That means what you did as a child, or do now, for fun or exercise might not be what your child thrives while doing. However, we often default to what we know. It makes sense. Until it doesn't.

I've found that kids are often drawn to what their bodies need and crave.

I've never met a human where the following statement did not hold true: "Good Sensory Input Yields Good Motor Output." (Three cheers to Dr. Fergus who drilled this into our heads in 1st year Neuro)

If you want it to look good, it has to feel good.

That means your child might need a lot of input to regulate their system in order to create that meaningful movement. Or conversely, they might need less.

Are sensory strategies typically left for our OTs to manage? Commonly, yes.

Does that mean physical therapists don't have a responsibility to honor the sensory system and use what we know to develop appropriate movement strategies to maximize motor output? Absolutely not.

I'll never stop being humbled by the people who trust their children, first and foremost, and then trust me to find that just right challenge. Stepping out of your comfort zone and the "known" is hard enough. Parents "know" what to expect in a therapy office and when dealing with insurance. We "know" what traditional sports are for kids based on their ages and genders.

Cue Dr. B.
Wild card.

I'm here to break traditions and stereotypes. The ones that say boys should get their energy out on a football field, or girls all want to be ballerinas. The ones that say you have to concede to the whims of an insurance company who doesn't know your child. The ones where your kid is another name to be replaced by one on the endless wait-list when they've met a goal you never cared about in the first place.

That means when you text me and say, "I've got to do something about X, Y, and Z," we are going to talk. I'm going to ask a lot of questions, and I'm going to listen.

And then we are going to find that outlet for your child to thrive and use whatever movement strategies they have to the fullest potential. It doesn't always mean they will work with me, in some cases, I have a friend or colleague who is a better fit for the situation.

Regardless of the plan moving forward, whether they are taking their first steps or getting up on a stage for the first time and dancing their heart out, their milestones matter to me. Movement and meaningful interactions matter to me.

And above all else: your child matters to me.

It's time to take flight.

10/28/2024

It's not too late to snag this incredible deal!!

30% off Halloween items!

10/28/2024

Even the "simplicity" of a catalog has developmental benefits!
2-4 year-olds, who aren't yet writing letters to the big man or making wish lists, can cut and paste items of interest to a letter/list.
Older children can pick out items for siblings, cousins, etc. from a budget.
Kids of all ages can go on a scavenger hunt for items in the store when you inevitably go by because it's so amazing 😍
Options are endless!

But also.... Who doesn't have fond memories of flipping through a catalog at this time of year?! 🥹
So excited our local store is doing this!

10/25/2024

PS - if you're not local to Williamsburg, they offer online shopping and shipping!!

Order online and we can have your items wrapped and ready for pick-up! Looking for gifts for your out-of-town friends and family- we can do the shipping for you!

10/25/2024

No time like a sale to scurry on over and pick up something incredible ❤️

We missed you yesterday! We are here and open from 9:30am-5:00pom. 20% off one item of your choice!

10/25/2024

Counting down to a big day is a great way to help with the concept of time. Skip options with candy and consider quality and play instead!

Pro play tips:
🔥 put the animals upright around an open room. Have your child standing in the middle and call out prompts such as "I'm looking for an animal that says 'quack quack," or "do you see the cow?"
If you placed the animals all on the floor, your child will have to squat to stand to retrieve them when called.
Mod up:
👀 place them at different heights to have them engage in multi level environmental scanning.
Additional challenges:
‼️add animal movement prompts "please walk like a duck" (double up with "to get the animal that says 'baa-baa!'")
‼️have your child try to pick the animal up with their toes

Honestly, my ideas for this one are endless, depending on your child's age and skill level. But this kind of item offers open ended play, which allows you or your child to get creative.

Don't forget... Children learn through play.

10/24/2024

As much as I want all of the raffle tickets, I also want to spread the love of the Yoto!! 😍😍

HOW TO EARN A RAFFLE TICKET…

1.) Anyone who voted on the original post will earn 1 ticket.

2.) Share and comment on this post to earn 1 ticket.

3.) Tag a friend in the comments. Each friend you tag will add 1 additional ticket.

4.) For every $5 you spend online or in store you will earn 1 ticket.

5.) Visit The Playful Educator in store. Tag us from the store and add a picture of something you purchased or something you wish to purchase= 2 ticket

This raffle will end on November 15th!!

10/24/2024

Is your child working on hand eye coordination or basic/developmental ball skills? Do they love bubbles (the answer is usually yes to that one)

Check out these fun bubbles! Catching a slower moving bubble on your hand or finger can help develop the neural connections needed for catching a ball. Having a bubble that won't pop provides the feedback. And it's silly and fun.

Let them learn through play.

Restock on Touchable Bubbles! At $4 these make an great stocking stuffer!

10/23/2024

In a world that is obsessed with screen time, I can't begin to explain what a breath of fresh air the Yoto Player is. Dr. B here. If you are looking for a way to wean your kids off of their tablets or the TV, if you want something that encourages imagination, play, literacy, movement, creativity, language, and exploration, the Yoto is an amazing option. From favorite/classic stories in the form of audiobooks or music cards to how to draw or bake cards, the Yoto will keep your little one entertained for hours. Not only are the cards seemingly endless, the Yoto offers a radio station, daily podcast, and is an "Okay To Wake" clock. The Yoto Player is totally worth the investment as are all of the high quality toys, games, books, puzzles, and educational material at The Playful Educator!!

The Playful Educator has all of our favorite cards in stock right now! (I may have just stopped by and cleared a few of them off the racks...) Boogie on down today and get some tickets with your name on them added into this drawing!! Plus* Rachel has a sweet helper today who is ready to check the next customer out 🥹 brought back beautiful memories of ringing up electric bills at my parents' drug store 😍 definitely a better experience than self check out at a big box store.

❤️

Remember, for each $5 you spend in store, you earn 1 raffle ticket! Don’t forget to share and tag The Playful Educator in posts to also earn more tickets! The winner receives a Yoto Player!