Conditions treated by children's physiotherapists
Little Skippers Paediatric Physiotherapy is able to provide tailored physiotherapy programs to children with a broad range of developmental, neurological or musculoskeletal conditions. Lisa, your paediatric physiotherapist, has a special interest in early intervention – when children have the greatest capacity for change and improvement! Below are some of our most common conditions we treat. If you do not see your child’s medical condition below, please contact us to discuss. Where we are not the most appropriate service for your family, we will endeavour to help you find the right provider
Developmental Delay
Some children require support to meet their developmental milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling and walking. Often this can occur in children who are born premmie or who had a difficult neonatal period. This includes infants who required admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Special Care Nursery.
Low muscle tone
Children with low muscle tone (hypotonia) are often described as feeling ‘floppy’. Commonly this can make it more difficult for infants to move against gravity and cause them to fall behind in their milestones. Similarly, in older children, low muscle tone can result in reduced muscle strength, high levels of fatigue and sub-optimal posture.
Cerebral Palsy
Children with cerebral palsy have difficulties with movement and posture which can cause developmental delays. Paediatric physiotherapists can assist your child with strengthening and gross motor development. Moreover, some children will require equipment including ankle foot orthoses or walking aids.
Genetic conditions
Children with genetic conditions including Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) and Prader-Willi Syndrome may have low muscle tone and subsequent difficulties meeting their developmental milestones.
Balance and co-ordination difficulties
Balance and co-ordination difficulties, including Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), can affect your child’s ability to perform common, every day tasks. Children with co-ordination difficulties often appear ‘awkward’ and ‘clumsy’ and can take longer than their peers to learn new skills.
Neurological and neuromuscular conditions
Common neurological conditions that benefit from paediatric physiotherapy include muscular dystrophies, Charcot Marie Tooth, spinal muscular atrophy, brachial plexus palsy and spina bifida.
Chronic fatigue or pain
Children with chronic pain or fatigue can can benefit from pain management strategies and graded exercise programs. Therefore physiotherapy can be integral in assisting you to build your child’s capacity slowly and safely, avoiding a ‘boom bust’ pattern.
Musculoskeletal conditions
Children with hypermobility (excessive flexibility) or inflammatory conditions including juvenile idiopathic arthritis can experience joint pain, excessive or reduced joint movement. Subsequently these children can also report fatigue as well as reduced co-ordination and balance.
NDIS/Private Clients
Paediatric Physiotherapy may assist with; Developmental delay, low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, genetic conditions, balance & co-ordination difficulties, Neurological & neuromuscular conditions, Chronic fatigue or pain, Musculoskeletal conditions, etc.
Phone: 0434 680 251
Email: info@littleskippers.com.au
Address: Shop 11/2 Mieke Ct, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220