Pediatric Physical Therapy Services in Rochester
Pediatric physical therapy utilizes play-based therapy to help children reach their developmental milestones, build their strength/coordination/balance, and increase independence in the home as well as the community and school settings.
At Rise Above Therapies, we believe therapy works best when families are at the center of it. That means we don’t just treat your child—we partner with you. Every session at our Rochester clinic is built around your goals, your questions, and your child’s unique personality.
What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?
In pediatric PT, we specialize in assessing how an infant/child’s ability to move freely throughout their environment might be impacted by strength or range of motion imbalances, positional preferences, early torticollis or other muscle tension, or balance/coordination difficulties. Every child develops at their own pace! Pediatric physical therapists are trained to identify when a child could benefit from extra support and to design treatment plans that meet them exactly where they are. At Rise Above Therapies in Rochester, NY, that’s exactly what we do—and we do it with your family at the center.
How Rise Above Does It Differently
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Family-first philosophy. You’re not watching from the sideline. Parents and caregivers are active participants in every session, learning strategies you can carry into daily life.
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Play-based methods. Kids learn best through play. Our sessions use purposeful, engaging activities so therapy feels like fun—not work.
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Evidence-based practice. Every treatment plan is grounded in current research and best practices in pediatric physical therapy.
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Compassionate listening. We take time to understand your family’s priorities and create goals that reflect what matters most to you.
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Collaborative care. Our therapists coordinate across physical therapy and speech services so your child receives holistic, connected care.
Our Specialized Services
We offer a range of pediatric therapies tailored to the developmental needs of infants, children, and young adults in the Rochester, NY area.
Meet Our Rochester Pediatric Physical Therapist
Dr. Shelby Withiam, PT, DPT
Dr. Shelby Withiam, PT, DPT opened Rise Above Therapies in November 2025 with a passion for empowering families to understand their child's early gross motor development and be active participants in therapy sessions.
She believes in holding space for families to feel heard and understood - while also providing them with a new perspective on how difficulties in other areas of development can impact early gross motor skills.
Did you know that early feeding challenges, positional preferences (like difficulty with tummy time), and low muscle tone can make learning to roll, sit independently, and crawl more challenging? Shelby can tell you all about it!
