Maria Benedetto has been a physical therapist for more than 30 years. Her primary clinical experience is in pediatrics. Currently, she is working with a team to develop a clinical assessment tool, the Timed Obstacle Assessment Tool (TOAT), that measures balance and functional mobility for children with mobility problems. Teaching responsibilities are primarily in the entry-level DPT program and include motor control and motor learning, growth and development, pediatrics and posture and balance. She also teaches in the Pathways to Health Professions for pre-PT students. She teaches an online course for health care providers in Alternative Movement Therapies for the Complimentary Integrative Therapies Certificate Program.
Academic Distinctions
Distinguished Faculty Award
Faculty Fellowships
Fellow, College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Professional Society
American Physical Therapy Association
Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
College of Physicians of Philadelphia
International Association of Dance and Medicine
Selected Publications
Benedetto, M., Tomasweski, S.: Conservative Management of Os Trigonum in a
Pre-Professional Ballet Dancer with a Motor Control & Learning Emphasis: A Case Report.
Benedetto, M., Morely, J., Wenger, S.: A Comprehensive Dancer Wellness Program: Improving Access to Health and Wellness Care for the Collegiate Dancer.
O’Neil, M.E., Ideishi, R.I., Benedetto, M., Ideishi, S.K., Fragal-Pinkham, M. (2016). A Yoga Program for Preschool Children in Head Start and Early Intervention: A Feasibility Study. Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy, 6 (2) httpp://dx.doi.org/10, 4172-7595.1000238.
O’Neil, M.E., Benedetto, M., Ideishi, R., Ideishi, S. (2013). Yoga for preschool children in Head Start
Programs: Promoting motor and social skill development. American Public Health Association Conference, Boston, MA. https://apha.confex.com/apha/141am/webprogram
Benedetto, M., O’Neil, M., Ideishi, R., Ideishi, S. (2014). Teacher and Therapist Perspectives on Feasibility and
Effectiveness of Preschool Yoga Programs to Promote Motor & Social Skills. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 26(1); 107-108.
Specialization
Children with mobility problems.
DPT, Drexel University, 2004
Philadelphia, PA
MA, Applied Physiology, 1987
Cum Laude
Columbia University
New York, NY
BS, Physical Therapy, 1980
Magna Cum Laude
University of Puerto Rico
Reparto Metropolitano, Puerto Rico