Pediatric
Physiotherapy

Conditions we see in children

• Cerebral palsy — movement, posture, tone and equipment needs across childhood
• Developmental delay — where a child is not meeting motor milestones as expected
• Torticollis and head-shape concerns in babies
• Coordination difficulties affecting play, sport and school participation
• Neuromuscular conditions, where the focus is on function, comfort and preventing contracture
• Post-injury and post-surgical rehabilitation in children and adolescents
• Toe walking and other gait concerns

When to seek an assessment

Trust your instinct if something about your child's movement concerns you. Common reasons parents seek assessment include a child not sitting, crawling or walking around the time expected; consistently favouring one side; a baby who always turns the head one way; frequent falls or unusual tiredness with activity; or walking that looks different from other children of the same age.

Assessment does not require a diagnosis first. If your child needs medical investigation, we will say so and help you get to the right clinician.

How paediatric physiotherapy differs from adult care

Children are not small adults. Three things change the approach:

• They are developing. The goal is not to restore a previous level of function but to support skills that are still emerging.
• They learn through play. Therapy is built into play and routine, because that is how children practise willingly and often.
• The family delivers most of it. What happens at home, at nursery and at school matters more than the therapy hour. Parents are taught, not just updated.

What assessment involves

1. Your concerns, and the birth and developmental history
2. Observation of the child moving and playing — often the most informative part
3. Examination of muscle tone, strength, joint range and posture
4. Where relevant, standardised measures so change can be tracked
5. Goals agreed with the family, in terms of what your child wants and needs to do

Working with school and other services

Children with ongoing needs are usually supported by more than one service — paediatrics, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, orthotics. We aim to work alongside them rather than in parallel, and will tell you where a referral we cannot make ourselves would help.

Frequently asked questions

My child is behind on milestones. Should I wait and see?

Children vary widely and many catch up without intervention. But "wait and see" should be a decision made after assessment, not instead of one — early intervention is easier and often more effective.

Will my child need therapy forever?

For most conditions, no. For lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy, needs change with growth — periods of more intensive work around a goal or after surgery, and quieter maintenance periods.

Can I stay with my child during sessions?

Yes. Parental involvement is expected and helpful, and you will be shown what to continue at home.

Which centres see children?

Paediatric availability varies by centre. Please contact your nearest centre to confirm before travelling.

References

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Cerebral palsy in under 25s: assessment and management (NG62).