Effective home and community based therapy

At Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children we discuss with you and set in place realistic and achievable therapy goals for your child and family, focusing on optimising the quality of your child’s movement skills, abilities, independence and participation when moving, playing and interacting with others.

We are able to provide individualised therapy interventions for your child. This includes empowering you with the knowledge and skills you need to promote specific learning opportunities for your child’s skill development during everyday activities. Every parent is involved and vital to each therapy session as you are your child’s “favourite toy”. We also involve siblings so they feel included. We use everyday items and toys around your home to engage with your child and motivate them to move.

We are passionate about working closely with children and their families in their home and community settings to support movement in their every day routines in order to help them learn and thrive.

Very importantly, we travel to you at a convenient place and time of your choosing as this will meet your goals more effectively. This could be at your home, child care centre, preschool, school or local playground. This allows every family and child to be more relaxed and comfortable in familiar environments, and therefore the physiotherapy will be more fun, meaningful… and most importantly, more effective.

Hydrotherapy

We offer individual hydrotherapy sessions conveniently at your local pool or centrally located at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital pool. Please contact John for further details and times.

Movement skills and coordination program

We have programs to develop your child’s coordination and movement skills at the Walkerville YMCA. Please contact John for further details and times.

Equipment assessment and prescription

We can assess the need for (and prescribe if necessary) equipment to assist or motivate your baby or child to move. These include:

• jolly jumpers, push carts, walkers and other baby toys
• specialised rehabilitation equipment such as floor chairs, standing frames, walkers, wheelchairs, and specialised seating
• splints, orthotics and shoes

Orthopaedic serial casting and splint making

If your child needs additional support (for example tight muscles or low muscle tone), we can assess and apply any necessary lower limb casts, and/or construct lightweight thermoplastic splints. We also can assess and advise on other wearable garments (eg theratogs), other splints such as hand splints, orthotics, and appropriate shoes.

Playtime in the park

Several families meet with a therapist regularly in a local park for a social gathering which includes play and movement opportunities for their children. The majority of these children are not yet walking.