JPT Kids Pediatric Therapy

06/19/2026

+ JOY CHURCH +

It's time for JOY Church! Join us THIS Sunday (6/21) at 3:00pm in the Downtown Sanctuary located at 800 Porter Avenue!

What is JOY Church?
JOY Church is designed to create a worship experience for individuals of all ages and abilities. This new monthly service will allow those with special needs to help lead the service and are free to move and worship as desired. All are welcome!

☎️ Questions? Contact Heather Skaggs at [email protected].

📅 JOY Church will meet every third Sunday of the month at our Downtown Campus at 3pm! Full calendar in comments.

06/19/2026

Does your baby always seem to look one direction? While some babies may have a preferred side, persistent head turning or tilting could be a sign of torticollis.

Torticollis is a common condition in infants that can affect head position, movement, and even motor development. The good news is that early identification and treatment can make a big difference.

If you have concerns about your child's head position or movement, talk with your pediatrician about whether a pediatric physical therapy evaluation may be appropriate.

06/19/2026

Does your baby always seem to look one direction? While some babies may have a preferred side, persistent head turning or tilting could be a sign of torticollis.

Torticollis is a common condition in infants that can affect head position, movement, and even motor development. The good news is that early identification and treatment can make a big difference.

If you have concerns about your child's head position or movement, talk with your pediatrician about whether a pediatric physical therapy evaluation may be appropriate.

06/17/2026

🥕🍓 At JPT Kids, we're passionate about promoting healthy habits and supporting local businesses that help our community thrive!

We've enjoyed partnering with Coastal Speech, Language, and Literacy, Eubanks Produce, and Charlie U-Pik to help encourage healthy eating through Fresh Produce Fridays.

Join us this Friday at Coastal Speech, Language, and Literacy for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for your family.

Order ahead: https://charlies-u-pik.square.site/

💚 Healthy families. Healthy communities. Move Better Together.

06/15/2026

Did you know pediatric physical therapy helps children with much more than injuries?

Pediatric PT supports the development of strength, balance, coordination, mobility, and gross motor skills that children need for everyday activities, play, and participation in their world.

Whether a child is learning to crawl, walk, run, jump, keep up with peers, or overcome developmental challenges, pediatric physical therapy can help them build confidence and reach their full potential.

Swipe through to learn more about what pediatric physical therapy is and how it helps children thrive. And stay tuned... Occupational Therapy is coming to JPT Kids this July! 💜

Now accepting new pediatric physical therapy referrals.

06/12/2026

It's that time of year again!

Our founder, Jade Jones, will be leaving tonight to travel to Honduras on a medical mission trip. Last year, the experience left a lasting impact on him, and he is grateful for the opportunity to serve again.

As he prepares for this journey, we would appreciate your prayers for safe travels, good health, wisdom, and the ability to make a positive difference for those he will meet and serve. We also ask for prayers for the entire team as they work to provide care and support to communities in need.

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer. We are excited to see how God works through this opportunity and look forward to sharing updates along the way.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." Colossians 3:23

P.S. JPT will remain open and operating as usual while Jade is away next week. Sean, Jenna, and our PRN PTA, Karen, will be here caring for patients and keeping things running smoothly. We are grateful for such a dedicated team!

06/10/2026

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!

Celebrate Independence Day with us at an event designed for families with children ages 3–21 with different abilities. We've created a space where your family can enjoy the holiday together without sensory overwhelm.

🎆 Projected fireworks (no loud noise)
💫 Fiber optic sparklers
🎨 4th of July crafts
🌭 Food & refreshments
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly activities

All in a sound-reduced environment with break spaces available whenever you need them.

This event is completely free to attend. Just register to let us know you're coming—it helps us plan food and activities for your family.

📅 Sunday, July 5, 2026
📍 St. Paul Ocean Springs, 6716 Bienville Blvd Ocean Springs, MS
🕐 3pm–5pm

Flexible participation encouraged—come for the whole event or drop in when it works for your family. Stay as long as you'd like. No pressure, just fun.

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://embraceabilitiesms.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/382905

06/08/2026

We are always grateful for opportunities to support our community, especially when it comes to creating inclusive experiences for children and families.

This year, St. Paul Ocean Springs and Embrace Abilities partnered to offer a Vacation Bible School designed for children of all abilities, and it was an incredible experience. Seeing children learn, play, and grow together in an environment where everyone was welcomed and included was truly special.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. We are already looking forward to next year!

A year ago, Heather Tomlinson Skaggs from St. Paul Ocean Springs reached out with an idea for an inclusive, sensory friendly VBS as an extension of their regular VBS week through Joy Church, an inclusive service for people of all abilities. From the very beginning, she did what more events should do. She asked parents and professionals what real inclusion needs to look like, then she built the plan around that input.

Our team was grateful to be a small part of that process. Heather met with Bridgett and Maryjo, and they came to the table with feedback gathered from our team, based on what we see work for families and what does not. When it was time to set up, our team also stepped in to create the calm down space using our sensory lending library, so kids had a place to reset and regulate when they needed it.

This weekend, that year of planning turned into something you could actually feel in the room. Board members Maryjo and Angela volunteered alongside allied professionals and community members who showed up with care, patience, and follow through. Events built with accessibility in mind matter, and St. Paul’s modeled what it looks like to make room for everyone in a way that is practical and respectful.

Thank you, Heather. Thank you to St. Paul’s and Joy Church. Thank you to every volunteer, every professional, and every family who trusted this space and helped make it what it was. This is what inclusion looks like when people are willing to listen, learn, and do the work.

06/05/2026

👟 Shoes or Barefoot? What’s Best for Your Child’s Development?

One of the most common questions we hear from parents is whether children should wear shoes all the time or spend time barefoot.

For most typically developing children, spending time barefoot is actually beneficial, especially when learning to stand, walk, run, and play. Going barefoot allows children to:
• Strengthen the muscles in their feet and ankles
• Improve balance and coordination
• Better feel the ground beneath them
• Develop natural movement patterns

That doesn't mean shoes are bad. Shoes are important for protecting little feet outdoors and on unsafe surfaces. For typically developing children, a lightweight, flexible shoe that allows the foot to move naturally is often a great choice.

There is one important exception: not every child has the same needs. Children with low muscle tone, high muscle tone, neurological conditions, significant foot alignment concerns, or developmental delays may benefit from additional support, orthotics, or specialized footwear. What is best for one child may not be best for another.

As pediatric physical therapists, we look at the whole child before making recommendations. If you have concerns about your child's walking, balance, foot posture, or development, we'd be happy to help.

Contact JPT Kids to learn more or schedule an evaluation.
📞 228-591-2032
💻 [email protected]

06/05/2026

See you Saturday at JOY VBS!
-Garris

It’s not too late to register for JOY VBS!🦜🌺

JOY VBS is a welcoming, flexible and joy-filled environment for children, teens and adults from ages 5-21 with varying needs.

JOY VBS is designed for individuals who may benefit from:

* Extra support
* Smaller setting
* Sensory-friendly spaces
* A flexible pace

Through worship, Bible story, games, crafts and fun, we will explore God's nature in a way designed for every participant to thrive! 🙌

WHEN: Saturday, June 6th (9:00am-12:00pm)
WHERE: St. Paul East Campus (6716 Bienville Blvd.)
WHO: Individuals from 5 years old to 21 years old with disabilities, their siblings, and caregivers

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS: You may drop your camper off if they are comfortable, or stay on campus with us . We will have a dedicated coffee hangout space for caregivers to relax, recharge, and connect! 🥰

www.stpaulos.org/joyvbs