As parents, it is natural to notice the ways in how our children move and grow. Sometimes these changes are simply part of normal development and other times, they may benefit from physiotherapy support.
But how do you tell the difference?
If you notice something that seems a little different with your child’s movement, or a behaviour that is different to what you expected, our HBF Physio team are here to answer your questions if something isn’t sitting quite right for you.
What to look out for
We all know that every child develops in their own time, and that’s absolutely true. But there are some signs that might mean a paediatric physiotherapy assessment could be helpful.
You might consider booking an appointment with one of our HBF physiotherapists if your little (or bigger) one:
- Could benefit from support for rolling, crawling or walking
- Prefers to look or roll to one side only
- Is showing signs of flattening on one side of their head (known as plagiocephaly) or has a persistent neck tilt or turn (known as torticollis)
- Has lower limb musculoskeletal conditions such as positional talipes or suspected hip dysplasia
- Could benefit from support with coordination, ball skills (throwing, catching or rolling) or movement skills (running, jumping or skipping)
- Walks or runs with a limp, flat feet or on their toes
- Has increased flexibility impacting daily tasks
- Frequently trips or falls
- Avoids physical activities or tires quickly
- Complains of pain that does not seem related to a clear injury
- Needs some rehabilitation support after a fracture or surgery
What happens during a paediatric physiotherapy consultation?
Most of the time, a paediatric physiotherapy consultation feels more like play than an examination. Your physio will get to know your child (and you), explore their movement, strength and coordination or developmental concerns in engaging and play-based ways and share simple, take-home strategies to support them away from the clinic. At certain HBF Physio clinics, our physiotherapists can also utilise standardised assessments which can screen your baby or child’ gross motor development (up to 11 years of age).
Alongside you, your child’s physiotherapist may also collaborate with other health professionals like an occupational therapist, speech pathologist or podiatrist to support your child in reaching their full potential.
We also support children with disability or developmental delays with NDIS or other funding plans. An initial NDIS physiotherapy session will look like reviewing your child’s plan and how physiotherapy can help them meet their goals!
It’s never too early
With solid plan that is designed to suit the needs of your child, paediatric physiotherapy can help support your child’s development or rehabilitation, which is why it is never too early to check in. You do not need a referral to see us, and a single consultation with one of our physiotherapists may be all that is needed to provide you a pathway and reassurance to meet your child’s goals.
The first step is reaching out to your local HBF Physio team and chatting with us about how we can best support you, your child and your family. Be sure to mention paediatric physiotherapy with our admin team so we can assign the most appropriate physiotherapist to your child.
Everyone is welcome through our doors.