Cerebral Palsy: Sitting with Forearm Propping for Head Control & Sitting Balance | Pediatric PT #10

🌟 Welcome Back! Meet Jack — Bench Sitting with Active Forearm Propping 💙 Pediatric Physical Therapy #10 I’m so glad you’re here! Please meet my wonderful co-instructor Jack 👦🏼, who was 12 years old when we filmed this session, along with his sister Emory 👧🏼. Jack has significant involvement (GMFCS Level V) due to cerebral palsy. He also has a seizure disorder, cortical vision impairment, scoliosis, and complex medical needs. Jack wears a cochlear implant and hearing aid, receives all nutrition through a G-tube, and has a history of orthopedic surgeries including femoral derotation and heel-cord lengthenings. And most importantly — he is truly delightful. ✨ In today’s video, we’re working on bench sitting with active propping on the forearms using a tabletop for support. The primary goal is to help Jack maintain an upright head and trunk position while propping independently — without arching backward, collapsing forward, or relying on hands-on support. This type of propped sitting is challenging. It requires a balance of postural control, head positioning, and carefully graded visual input. The setup is intentionally structured to provide stability through the lower body while allowing Jack to do the work of holding himself up through his arms and trunk. Motivation plays a key role. Visual engagement is used to encourage head lifting and sustained propping, but the height and placement must be carefully adjusted. Too low, and posture collapses. Too high, and Jack over-extends and loses balance. In this session, we problem-solve in real time to find that “just right” position. Success here isn’t measured in minutes — it’s measured in seconds of quality, active control. Even brief moments of independent propping represent meaningful work. 🕒 Video Chapters 0:00 Introduction & overview 0:14 Meet Jack & Emory 0:23 Goal: sitting with forearm propping 0:44 Using visual engagement to support posture 1:01 Finding the right height for head control 1:07 Switching toys to support regulation 1:24 Encouraging active propping without reaching 1:43 Managing extension & balance challenges 1:50 Bench height & positioning considerations 2:02 Independent propping (seconds that count) 2:08 Final thoughts 2:14 See more videos with Jack & Emory 2:26 Subscribe & notifications 🎯 What we’re working on 🪑 Bench sitting with lower-body stability 💪🏼 Active forearm (elbow) propping 🧠 Head and trunk control without arching 👀 Visual engagement to support posture ⏱ Short bursts of independent sitting 👧🏼 Sibling inclusion Emory plays an important role as a motivator and communication partner. Her involvement reflects real family dynamics and highlights how siblings often become essential participants in therapy — especially when timing, positioning, and responsiveness matter. 🌍 Who this video is for This video may be helpful for: 👨🏽‍👩🏼‍👧 Families supporting children with complex medical needs 👩🏾‍⚕️👨🏼‍⚕️ Therapists working with children at GMFCS IV–V 👩🏽‍🏫🧑🏿‍🏫 Educators and caregivers exploring supported sitting strategies 🧑🏾‍🦽 Anyone interested in thoughtful, relationship-based therapy ⚠️ Important note These activities are specific to Jack and his medical needs and are shared for educational purposes only. Please talk with your child’s own therapist before trying new exercises. 📚 My Children’s & Professional Physical Therapy Books “P is for Poop and Pee Accidents” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLSRJ483 “A is for Anxiety” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LXQ3W6V “A is for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH9H5HR “C is for Cerebral Palsy” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TSJCYP “D is for Down Syndrome” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P8HH49 “A is for Autism” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F4FFTB “Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Hips” https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156736 “Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Knees” http://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156760 “Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Ankles” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX2ZCFD ✨ Watch More Videos with Jack Jack’s Playlist → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAkJbMrHyKjM8cf4VN1tDJr3WVctwiPSI 🌍 Captions I review and correct all captions for accuracy. To turn them on or change the language: CC → Settings → Subtitles/CC → Auto-translate Of course, if the captions are in the way of viewing the details in the video, you can always turn them off in the bottom or top right-hand corner of your video screen. 👉🏽 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly videos and tap the 🔔 so you never miss an update!