Growing & Moving
Every child grows and develops at their own pace, and sometimes it’s hard to know what’s typical, what to watch for, or when to ask for help.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite resources to help you better understand your child’s movement, development, and growing abilities. Whether you’re wondering about tummy time, First Steps, or something that just doesn’t seem quite right, we’re here to help you find answers and feel confident supporting your child’s journey.
Find What You Need
- Infant Development & Pediatric PT
- Common Pediatric Concerns
- Early Intervention & Developmental Support
- Financial Assistance & Therapy Grants
- Family Support & Advocacy
Infant Development & Milestones
CDC Developmental Milestones
Wondering what skills your baby or toddler might be developing next? The CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program provides easy-to-understand milestone checklists, helpful tips, and a free Milestone Tracker app to help families follow their child’s development from 2 months through 5 years.
Explore Developmental Milestones
Tummy Time & Your Baby’s Development
Tummy time helps babies develop the strength, stability, and coordination needed for rolling, sitting, crawling, and exploring their world! It also helps reduce pressure on the back of the head and encourages babies to develop balanced movement patterns.
If your baby consistently turns their head to one side, has difficulty turning in both directions, or develops a flat spot on their head, these may be signs of torticollis or positional plagiocephaly. Early identification and treatment can make a meaningful difference.
From Rolling to First Steps
Every new movement is an exciting part of your child’s development! Rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking all involve building strength, balance, coordination, and confidence.
While children develop at different rates, understanding typical motor milestones can help families recognize when their child might benefit from additional support. If you have concerns about how your child moves or develops, you don’t have to wait to ask questions.
Explore Motor Development Resources
Common Pediatric PT Concerns
Toe Walking: When Should Parents Be Concerned?
It’s not unusual for young children to experiment with walking on their toes as they learn to walk. However, persistent toe walking, difficulty placing heels on the floor, or changes in balance and coordination may warrant further evaluation.
Pediatric physical therapists can help identify factors contributing to toe walking and determine whether treatment would be beneficial.
Balance, Coordination & Frequent Falling
Does your child seem to trip more often than other children their age, struggle to keep up on the playground, or avoid activities like jumping, climbing, or riding a bike?
Developing balance and coordination takes time, but persistent difficulties with movement, frequent falls, or challenges learning new motor skills may be signs that additional support could help.
Pediatric physical therapy can help children build strength, balance, coordination, and confidence so they can participate more fully in the activities they love.
Explore Movement & Coordination Resources
W-Sitting: Should You Be Concerned?
Does your child sit with their knees bent and feet out to either side, forming a “W” shape? This position is common among young children and isn’t necessarily harmful.
W-sitting alone doesn’t cause hip damage or developmental problems. However, if your child consistently prefers this position, struggles to sit comfortably in other positions, or has difficulty with balance, coordination, or movement transitions, it may be worth discussing with a pediatric physical therapist.
Encouraging a variety of sitting positions and active play helps children explore movement, develop strength, and build confidence.
Flat Feet, Foot Positioning & Orthotics
Have you noticed your child’s feet turning inward or outward, their arches appearing flat, or their shoes wearing unevenly?
Many variations in foot posture are a normal part of growing and developing. Flexible flat feet, for example, are common in young children and don’t always require treatment.
However, foot or leg pain, frequent tripping, difficulty keeping up with peers, or changes in walking patterns may warrant further evaluation.
Pediatric physical therapists can assess your child’s strength, flexibility, alignment, and movement to help determine whether exercises, supportive footwear, orthotics, or other interventions may be beneficial.
Learn More About Flexible Flat Feet
Torticollis & Head Shape Concerns
Does your baby prefer looking in one direction, tilt their head to one side, or have a flat spot on the back or side of their head?
These are common concerns during infancy and may be associated with torticollis (tightness or imbalance in the neck muscles) or positional plagiocephaly (flattening of the head).
Early evaluation can help identify what’s contributing to these differences. Pediatric physical therapy uses gentle, play-based activities, positioning strategies, and family education to improve comfortable movement, encourage symmetrical development, and support your baby’s growing motor skills.
Getting the Support Your Child Needs
You don’t have to navigate your child’s developmental journey alone!
Whether you’re looking for early intervention services, guidance about your child’s development, or help accessing therapy, there are wonderful programs available to support your family.
We’ve gathered some trusted resources to help you find the information, services, and connections you need.
Missouri First Steps
Missouri First Steps provides early intervention services for eligible infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or qualifying medical conditions.
Services are designed to support children’s development through everyday routines while helping families build the skills and confidence to encourage their child’s growth.
Parents can make referrals directly—no physician referral is required to get started!
Parents as Teachers (PAT)
Parents are their child’s first and most important teachers! Parents as Teachers is a voluntary early childhood program that helps families understand their child’s development and build confidence as parents.
Through developmental screenings, personalized home visits, parenting education, and family connections, the program provides practical tools to encourage learning and growth during the early years.
Many local school districts offer Parents as Teachers services at no cost to eligible families.
Financial Assistance & Therapy Grants
Every child deserves access to the care, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. We know that navigating insurance coverage and the cost of therapy or specialized equipment can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, several wonderful organizations offer grants, scholarships, and financial assistance to help families access services and resources for their children.
We’ve gathered some options to help you explore what support may be available for your family.
The Aidan Project
The Aidan Project helps Kansas City-area families access pediatric therapy services through financial assistance and therapy scholarships. Their programs support eligible children age 10 and younger, helping families overcome financial barriers to receiving the therapy their children need.
Variety KC
Variety KC is a local children’s charity dedicated to helping children with disabilities and special needs access the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Through its grant programs, Variety KC helps eligible families obtain adaptive equipment, communication devices, mobility supports, and therapy services that may not be fully covered by insurance.
Their mission goes beyond providing equipment and financial assistance—they’re passionate about creating a more inclusive Kansas City where every child has opportunities to play, participate, and belong.
Fox4 Love Fund for Children
The FOX4 Love Fund for Children helps children throughout the Kansas City area access essential resources when their needs cannot be met through other available programs.
The Love Fund works with community advocates to identify children with unmet needs and provide assistance that may include medical and developmental needs, educational resources, and other essentials that support a child’s well-being.
Families interested in assistance can connect with the organization to learn about eligibility and the advocate referral process.
Learn More About the Love Fund
UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF)
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation provides medical grants to help families pay for eligible healthcare expenses that are not fully covered by their commercial health insurance.
Grants may help cover pediatric therapy services, medical equipment, assistive devices, and other qualifying healthcare needs.
Families do not need to have UnitedHealthcare insurance to apply. Eligibility is based on factors including the child’s age, family income, insurance coverage, and the type of expense requested.
Explore Medical Grants & Apply
SupportNow Grant Finder
Finding financial assistance for your child’s needs doesn’t have to mean searching dozens of different websites!
SupportNow offers a searchable directory of grant opportunities that may help families find funding for therapy, medical expenses, adaptive equipment, accessibility needs, and other supports.
Families can explore available grants based on their circumstances and the type of assistance they’re seeking, making it easier to discover programs they might not otherwise know about.
Family Support & Advocacy
Raising a child with unique needs can come with a lot of questions, and finding the right answers isn’t always easy.
Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis, preparing for an IEP meeting, looking for community connections, or simply hoping to talk with someone who understands, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
These organizations provide education, advocacy, and support to help families feel informed, connected, and empowered.
Lee’s Summit Police Department – Take Me Home Program
The Take Me Home Program helps first responders safely identify and assist individuals who may have difficulty communicating, become disoriented, or wander away from home. Families can voluntarily register their loved one’s photo, identifying information, and emergency contacts to help officers respond appropriately and reunite individuals with their caregivers during an emergency.
Learn More & Register for Take Me Home
Missouri Family to Family
Sometimes the most helpful support comes from someone who truly understands what your family is experiencing.
Missouri Family to Family connects families of children and individuals with disabilities or special healthcare needs with information, resources, and support from others who have walked similar paths.
Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, exploring available services, understanding benefits, or looking for connections with other families, Missouri Family to Family can help you find guidance and encouragement along the way.
Explore Family Support Resources
MPACT – Missouri Parents Act
Navigating special education services can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to understand your child’s rights and make sure they’re receiving the support they need.
MPACT is Missouri’s Parent Training and Information Center, offering free resources, training, and guidance to help families understand the special education process.
Whether you’re preparing for your child’s first IEP meeting, learning about educational rights, or working through concerns about school services, MPACT helps parents become informed, confident advocates for their children.
Explore Special Education Resources
Partners in Policymaking – Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council
Partners in Policymaking is a leadership and advocacy training program for parents of children with developmental disabilities and adults with disabilities. Participants learn about disability rights, education, community inclusion, and public policy while building the skills and connections needed to advocate for meaningful change.
Applications are typically accepted in the fall, with classes beginning in February. Visit the program website for current application information and requirements.
Learn More About Partners in Policymaking
Down Syndrome Innovations
Every child deserves opportunities to grow, connect, and thrive!
Down Syndrome Innovations supports individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout the Kansas City area through educational programs, family resources, community connections, and opportunities for meaningful participation.
From welcoming families following a new diagnosis to supporting children as they grow and develop, the organization provides guidance, encouragement, and connections that help families feel supported at every stage.
Explore Programs & Family Resources
Caregiver Support & Respite
Caring for a child with additional needs takes love, patience, energy, and a whole lot of heart. And while you’re busy taking care of everyone else, your own well-being matters, too!
These local organizations offer opportunities for caregivers to connect, find encouragement, and take a much-deserved break.
Healing Grace Counseling – Caregiver Support Group
Sometimes caregivers need a place where they can simply be heard, understood, and encouraged.
Healing Grace Counseling offers a caregiver support group where parents and caregivers can connect with others who understand the unique joys and challenges of raising a child with additional needs.
Contact Healing Grace Counseling directly for current meeting dates, times, and participation information.
SOAR Special Needs – Respite & Family Support
Everyone needs a chance to recharge, and caregivers are no exception!
SOAR Special Needs provides programs and support for individuals with disabilities and their families, including respite opportunities that give caregivers time to rest while their loved ones enjoy engaging activities in a supportive environment.
With respite events available in the Lee’s Summit area, SOAR is a wonderful local resource for families looking for connection, encouragement, and a little breathing room.