What is a Paediatric Physical Therapist, and why might my child need Physical Therapy?
Paediatric Physical Therapist are movement specialists for babies, children and young adults. We assist in many aspects of child physical and neurological development, using play based interventions to get the best outcomes. This means as ‘kid Therapist’ we have strong hands on skills and use huge doses of fun, creativity and playfulness to develop individualised programs to benefit each child. We work with families, carers, other health professionals, teachers and educators to optimise treatment.
What does the first session normally look like?
The first session will consist of an INITIAL ASSESSMENT. You will meet your Physical Therapist (physiotherapist/chiropractor) and they will ask some questions and then watch some movements using play based distractions. Getting an extensive history and performing quantitative measurements and fundamental movement patterns is important as it helps to identify specific needs and goals of each unique individual.
Following the assessment, the physical therapist will discuss the best method to deliver therapy. No matter the delivery every individual has a tailored program designed to reach their specific goals and outcomes. This will also include recommended duration, frequency and intensity of treatment for both in-clinic and to do with support at home.
Your child should wear comfortable, loose clothes, suitable for physical activity. Shoes may be necessary for outdoor therapy.
What are some examples of exercises and activities my child may do?
Every client is different and each program will consist of exercises and activities that suit the individuals needs.
We use a variety of therapies to help each and every person we see. For example, we use DMI therapy which is a comprehensive intervention used by physical and occupational therapists to treat children with gross motor impairments. We play games to work on specific skills needed to be developed, including obstacle courses, crash mats, climbing walls, sensor rooms, we use puzzles and busy books to achieve goals in a fun way. We play games such as “monkeys jumping on the bed”. We may use play doh, hoops, bean bags and ropes. For each session, we ensure we choose activities to suit the family, their support team, other therapies and the child to fit into their lifestyle.
Our activities are all about ensure the child reaches the goals for them and their families. Therefore activities aim to strengthening a child’s muscles, support their movement development, and improve their proprioception, balance, coordination or motor planning.
