Most children develop in a typical manner. When they move or play, they automatically develop their senses and motor skills. However, in some children, their development is delayed or follows an atypical pattern for various reasons. These children would require additional assistance to develop the correct muscle usage and therefore appropriate motor milestones.

Physiotherapists treat:

• Low Muscle Tone

The child with low tone has muscles that are slow to initiate a muscle contraction, contract very slowly in response to a stimulus, and cannot maintain a contraction for as long as his peers. This can often associated with hyper flexibility and hypermobility of the joints.

• Developmental Delay

Any significant lag in a child’s physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or social development, in comparison with norms. This is when a child has difficulties in reaching age appropriate milestones.

• Premature Infants

Children born prior to 40 weeks gestation. Intervention is best as early as possible, though therapy is still beneficial when the child is older.

• Genetic Conditions/Syndromes

A disorderor condition caused by an absent or defective gene or by a chromosomal aberration. For example Cystic Fibrosis or Down Syndrome.

• Congenital Conditions/ Complications

Conditions resulting from problems during pregnancy or at birth. For example Congenital Torticollis or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

• Orthopaedic/Musculoskeletal Conditions

Conditions affecting the skeleton, muscles and connective tissue system. For example Muscular Dystrophy or Dislocation/Fractures.

• Neurological Conditions

Disorders or conditions associated with an undeveloped or injured nervous system – central and peripheral (brain or spinal cord injury), resulting in physical and cognitive challenges. For example Cerebral Palsy or Traumatic Brain Injury.

• Coordination & Balance Disorders

Children who struggle with tasks requiring complex weight shifts and coordinated movements, often told they are ‘clumsy’; can include neurological reasons. For example Developmental Coordination Disorder or Dyspraxia.

• Respiratory Conditions

Conditions affecting the lungs and breathing ability. For example Asthma or RSV.

• Postural Problems

Concerns regarding habitual sitting and standing posture; slouching; leaning; lethargy; low endurance. For example Scoliosis.

• Rheumatologic Conditions

Conditions presenting with chronic inflammation and/or rheumatologic markers. For example Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Children are not just small adults.  Along with anatomical, physiological and psychological differences they are also growing very fast meaning timely intervention is essential to ensure the best possible outcome.  The way a child uses their muscles will have a direct effect on their growing skeleton and therefore muscles working ineffectively or in an imbalanced manner will change the shape and alignment of the bones as growth occurs. This is known as the modelling and alignment of the bones and may have long term consequences such as poor posture, back pain or repetitive injuries to name a few.

When a child fails to achieve a milestone it can affect the remaining milestones as well as movement patterns later on in life. Milestones can often be achieved with treatment and specific play exercises that are designed around the child’s specific developmental needs.

• Enhancing musculoskeletal posture, movement, strength and endurance

• Development of gross and fine motor skills

• Development of balance and co-ordination

• Facilitate play based learning skills

• Assist in the achievement of functional activities of daily living

• Provide, source and adapt specialized equipment

• Assist in the development of social, cognitive and communication skills

• Encourage self-motivation and be an emotional support

• Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT)

• Hydrotherapy

• Hippotherapy (Therapeutic Horse Riding)

• TheraTogs

• Kinesiotaping

• Musculoskeletal techniques

• Functional Electrical Stimulation

• Respiratory treatment and suctioning

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