Kristie Averill - Pediatric Physical Therapist in Dedham, MA
Helping Kids Thrive with Physical Therapy
Hi, I'm Kristie!
I'm a compassionate pediatric physical therapist with over 30 years of experience. I specialize in early intervention for children with motor delays ages 0-5. I have a deep passion for working with young children and their families, and I use a family collaborative approach to all my assessments, treatment planning, and hands-on care. Each family and child is unique, and I tailor my sessions to these differences so each family feels supported and each child achieves their goals. I'm trained in NDT, as well as myofascial and cranio-sacral release, which I incorporate into my treatments. I'm also a certified kids yoga teacher! I look forward to helping children thrive and supporting families on their journey.
Why I love what I do:
I love meeting new families, learning about their child's goals, and working together to help maximize their child’s potential. It’s very rewarding to see a child's skills progress and to empower families with my guidance and knowledge.
Why I’m passionate about in-home care:
I've found that working with a family in their natural environment promotes better progress. I'm able to demonstrate activities kids and families can do within their day-to-day routines that help their child meet their goals. It's also more comforting for a child to be working in their own home or community, so they are more willing and eager to participate in sessions.
What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
Physical therapists help kids move, play, and explore their world with confidence. If your child struggles with balance, coordination, strength, or hitting movement milestones, a PT can help them build the skills they need to keep up with friends and feel successful in their activities.
PTs focus on:
- Gross motor skills – like walking, running, jumping, climbing, and riding a bike
- Balance and coordination – helping kids feel steady on their feet and move smoothly between activities
- Strength and endurance – building the muscle power kids need for playground games, sports, and daily activities
- Movement milestones – supporting babies and toddlers with rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking
- Pain and injury recovery – helping kids heal from injuries and get back to the activities they love
Physical therapy gives kids the foundation they need to move freely, play confidently, and participate fully in all the activities that matter to them—whether that's keeping up on the playground, joining sports teams, or simply feeling comfortable in their own body.
My Specialties
I specialize in:
How my practice is special
Family Centered Approach
Each family and child is unique, and I incorporate this understanding into my assessments and treatment plans. Families are active participants in every stage of care—from assessment through treatment planning, goal setting, and discharge. I often coach parents as they perform recommended activities so they feel comfortable and confident implementing them outside of our sessions. Most equipment and toys used come from the family's home, leading to greater accessibility and recreation in daily life.
Diverse Treatment Techniques
All treatments are grounded in child-led, developmentally appropriate play. Depending on a child's individual needs, I may incorporate various manual techniques such as myofascial or craniosacral release, kinesiotape, or NDT facilitation and handling techniques. Each technique is fully explained to families so they understand exactly what I am doing and why.
Community-Based Sessions
When appropriate, I offer sessions at local community playgrounds or play spaces within my travel area. Families with children who have motor delays often feel uncomfortable taking their child to playgrounds because they're uncertain about appropriate equipment or how to provide support. I conduct playground sessions to help families feel confident supporting their child in community settings.
Client testimonials
Kristie worked with my premature twins during their first few years of life. Born at 33 weeks, they experienced some motor delays, and Kristie provided invaluable support. She designed practical daily exercises that I could do with them, which made a real difference in their development. Thanks to her early guidance, my twins are now thriving at seven years old!"
My family had the pleasure of working with Kristie through Early Intervention for over 5 years. My daughter first saw her for torticollis and low muscle tone at 6 months old. Kristie helped teach me how to help strengthen and stretch her so she could reach important milestones such as sitting, crawling, and walking. Kristie continued to be a great support in preschool, elementary, and still today in middle school. Our family was lucky to have such a kind and talented physical therapist!
Areas I Serve
I work with families in Greater Boston, and these surrounding areas: Dedham, Needham, Wellesley, Westwood, Dover, Norwood, and West Roxbury.
Dedham
Needham
Wellesley
Westwood
Dover
Norwood
Local Places I love!
French Press Bakery
Blue Bunny Books
Wilson Mountain
Unsure about what your child needs?
Book a quick 10 minute consultation with me! Serving families in Dedham near Barnes Memorial Park. Easily accessible from Boston Providence Highway and Yankee Division Highway.
Who is Coral Care?
Coral Care supports families with exceptional in-home pediatric therapists in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Every provider in our network is thoroughly vetted through a clinical review process and receives ongoing support through monthly education, community, and access to specialized resources.
We believe the best care happens when disciplines work together. That’s why we actively support cross-specialty collaboration—ensuring kids get care that’s not just high-quality, but truly holistic.
Need more care for a child—or know a family who does?
