A paediatric physiotherapist is able to diagnose and treat conditions that are unique to children such as Neurological Conditions, Congenital Conditions, Musculoskeletal Conditions and Developmental Delay.

Intensive therapy involves a high number of physiotherapy sessions in a short space of time. It benefits children who are working on skills such as improved head control, independent sitting, standing balance and walking. Specific neurological, congenital and genetic conditions especially benefit from this approach.

Baby Physiotherapists see children in their first year of life to support them to develop gross motor skills such as rolling, crawling or walking. Paediatric Physiotherapists work with families and provide play-based exercises to support baby’s development.

Children typically start crawling around 8-10 months to allow them to explore their environment and to access toys that were previously outside their reach. To achieve crawling, children need good head control, integrated reflexes, adequate arm and leg strength and coordination.

Tummy time is a great way to start strengthening the neck, shoulder, and core muscles. Babies should start with short bursts of tummy time of 1-3 minutes a couple of times per day, and work to increase to 15–20-minute sessions several times per day.

Autistic Children benefit from a coordinated therapy team. Paediatric Physiotherapists work on increasing gross motor, fine motor and toileting skills. Physiotherapists help to improve motor planning skills and sensory skills to help children increase independence and participate with peers.

Toe walking is the inability to walk with a heel-toe pattern of walking. It is considered a typical walking pattern of movement in children under the age of 2 years. Toe walking is relatively common. Most Children who walk on their toes are given the diagnosis of ‘Idiopathic Toe Walking,’

Growing pains is a diagnosis that can be given to children who experience recurring pain. Despite what the name suggests, growing pains have not been linked to growth. For this reason, they are now often referred to as ‘Recurrent Limb Pains of Childhood.’

To maintain bowel continence children need to have the ability to detect when there is a stool in the rectum, good movement throughout the bowel (peristalsis) and good sphincter control.

Plagiocephaly is a term used to describe the flattening or asymmetry of baby’s head shape – usually by extrinsic forces such as a firm surface a baby’s head lies on. In most cases, plagiocephaly is not harmful to children and is cosmetic.

Children with Down’s Syndrome benefit from physiotherapy for exercise prescription and support to help them achieve gross motor skills. These kiddos often develop gross motor skills a little bit later due to joint laxity (hyperextension) and low muscle tone.

Developmental physiotherapy generally refers to physiotherapy that is targeted towards the first year of life. It encompasses skills such as rolling, crawling, standing and walking. When a gross motor milestone is missing or delayed, there should be a reason why, such as muscle tightness or weakness.

Children typically attain daytime continence – the ability to hold their wee– on average around 3-4 years. The average age is 3.5 years old, however anywhere from 6 months – 6 years is considered typical depending on culture.

Gross Motor Skills include movements such as rolling, crawling, walking, running, hopping, jumping, catching, kicking and riding a bike. Paediatric physiotherapists assess children's gross motor skills and provide exercises to help them achieve success and confidence in their movement.