The Pediatric PT Playbook

By Kyan Sahba, PT, DPT, PhD

Clinician | Educator | Researcher

A practical clinical guide designed for PT students, interns, and clinicians transitioning into pediatric practice — because school teaches theory, but clinical practice demands judgment.

“The Pediatric PT Playbook is a practical and insightful guide for students and clinicians interested in pediatric physical therapy. ”

— Emma Lee, BestReviewsClub

School teaches theory. Clinical practice demands judgment.

Most physical therapy students enter pediatric rotations knowing milestones and interventions, but feeling unprepared for real-world clinical decision-making. Pediatric physical therapy requires constant adaptation, clear communication, and functional reasoning across settings that rarely follow a script.

The Playbook bridges the gap between coursework and confident practice.

This guide provides a clear, setting-based framework for pediatric physical therapy across early intervention, school-based services, outpatient pediatrics, inpatient and acute care, and complex medical environments. It is designed to help students and early-career clinicians think clinically, prioritize effectively, and move from observation to confident participation.

<span>The Playbook bridges the gap between coursework and confident practice.</span>

Inside the Playbook:

✔ Clinical handling maps

✔ Session flow frameworks

✔ Sensory adaptation strategies

✔ Communication scripts

✔ Clinical observation checklists

<span>Inside the Playbook:</span>

What You'll Learn

  • How to structure pediatric evaluations with purpose

  • How to identify what actually matters in complex cases

  • How to document clearly and professionally

  • How to communicate with families and interdisciplinary teams

  • How to move from observer to confident clinical contributor

This is not about memorizing techniques. It is about developing clinical judgment.

<span>What You'll Learn</span>

Who is This For

  • Physical therapy students entering pediatric rotations.

  • New graduates in pediatric practice.

  • Clinicians transitioning into pediatrics.

  • Clinical instructors supporting student development

If you have ever thought “I do not know if I am prioritizing the right things,” this was built for you.

<span>Who is This For</span>

Students are rarely taught how to think in pediatrics. They are taught what to know.

This leads to:

  • Unfocused evaluations

  • Unclear documentation

  • Hesitation during clinical discussions

  • Anxiety about missing red flags

  • Feeling behind despite strong academic performance

This playbook exists to fix that.

<span>Students are rarely taught how to think in pediatrics. They are taught what to know.</span>

About the Author

I am a physical therapist, educator, and researcher working across clinical practice and academic settings.

I created this playbook because neither school nor most clinical rotations taught me how to think in pediatrics. That gap cost me time, confidence, and clarity early in my career.

This resource is the guide I wish existed when I was a student.

<span>About the Author</span>
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"The book works like a roadmap for navigating the real environments pediatric physical therapists actually work in."

Cody Avery, The Thought Shelf