Coordination and Balance Therapy for Kids in Bakersfield

Physical therapy can help kids who struggle with balance and coordination. Some children find it hard to plan and control big movements like running, jumping, hopping, catching or riding a bike. They are often bright and eager but feel awkward when they move. A physical therapist works on the skills your child wants to learn, along with strength, balance and body control, in a way that feels like play. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist, and parents are part of visits.

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Why some kids struggle with coordination

Learning a new movement means the brain and body have to work together to plan, time and adjust each step. For some children this is harder than for others, even when they are healthy and smart. Weak core or hip muscles, poor balance, or being late with earlier skills like walking can all play a part. Some children with ongoing coordination trouble are diagnosed by a doctor with a condition called developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

A physical therapist does not diagnose DCD or other conditions. If you are worried, start by talking with your child's pediatrician. We can work on your child's movement skills whether or not they have a diagnosis, and we coordinate with your pediatrician. For babies and toddlers who are late to sit, crawl or walk, see our page on gross motor delays.

How physical therapy helps

Kids learn movement best by practicing the real thing. Research on children with coordination difficulties suggests that practicing the actual skills a child wants to learn, like catching or riding a bike, works better than general exercise alone. Your child's therapy may include:

• Skill practice: breaking skills like jumping, skipping, catching or pedaling into small, doable steps.
• Balance training: games that challenge standing, walking and hopping on different surfaces.
• Strength: fun exercises for the core, hips and legs, so movement feels steadier and less tiring.
• Confidence: small wins that help your child feel ready to join friends, PE or a team.

Some kids also struggle with fine motor tasks like handwriting or buttons. Your pediatrician may suggest an occupational therapist for those.

Families are part of it

Parents are part of visits and learn how to practice at home. You get a home program of short, fun activities that fit into your family's day. At home, practice in short, fun bursts: break skills into small steps, praise effort, and try activities like swimming, climbing or bike riding where your child can make steady progress. When your child is ready for sports, we can give guidance to help them start safely. See our page on youth sports injuries.

What treatment at ARI looks like

When to see a doctor first

Talk with your child's doctor promptly if your child:

• Suddenly becomes clumsy, or loses skills they used to have
• Has new weakness, numbness, or one side of the body that works less well than the other
• Has headaches with vomiting, vision changes or unusual sleepiness
• Has a limp, or pain in a joint or bone that does not go away
• Falls often and seems to be getting worse instead of better

Why patients choose ARI

Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Coordination problems in kids FAQs

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026