Paediatric

What is Paediatric Physiotherapy?

Paediatrics is concerned with the health and care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the age of 18. Children are quite different anatomically, physiologically and psychologically from adults. Paediatrics not only provides care for children who are acutely or chronically ill but also provides preventive health services for healthy children. 

Because children are not just small adults, paediatric physiotherapists encourage children to move and function to the best of their abilities through play and age appropriate fun and instruction. Paediatric physiotherapists help children achieve their optimal physical development. They have specialist knowledge in the movement, development and conditions that are likely to affect the baby, growing child and young adult. 

Paediatric physiotherapists work in a range of settings including children’s hospitals, community centres, schools, not-for-profit organisations and private practices. Treatment may include hands-on treatment techniques, splinting, family education, specific exercise prescription and home or community exercise programs. Some children’s conditions require additional support including access to other equipment and supports. Paediatric physiotherapists can help guide the most appropriate services and supports for individual needs. 

Who can they help?

Common work areas for paediatric physiotherapists include:

  • Babies in the neonatal nurseries of hospitals 
  • Children with lifelong conditions needing physiotherapy from birth, such as cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis 
  • Children in oncology, respiratory or burns and plastic surgery wards
  • Children with orthopaedic conditions including hip, leg and feet problems, neck stiffness tight necks, tight hips, congenital hip dysplasia and injury 
  • Children after injury including concussion, fractures or rehabilitation after surgery
  • Children with rheumatology conditions such as arthritis and connective tissue problems
  • Children with chronic pain and fatigue conditions
  • Children the community in the area of gross motor development for general function and sport.

 

Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapy

Specialist paediatric physiotherapists have attained formal recognition of their expertise via Fellowship of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. This is the highest level of clinical qualification available in Australia.

Specialist paediatric physiotherapists are often involved in providing second opinions or specialist care for people with these more complex paediatric conditions. This can work in a variety of different ways. They may provide:

  • Shared-care (collaboration with the doctor and local/treating physiotherapist or other health professional)
  • Specialist care (a course of treatment delivered by the specialist physiotherapist, potentially as part of a multidisciplinary approach. Common for more complex cases)
  • Broader recommendations for management (eg. around diagnosis, recovery expectations and referral to other medical or healthcare specialists).

Every person has their story

Abigail's Story

Abigail is a 17-year-old girl with ataxic cerebral palsy. She is entering the final years of school and wants to pursue a career in art. Abigail has issues with footwear fitting and tolerance, and no longer wishes to wear ankle foot orthoses, especially when she attends her semi-formal this year. She walks with parental support within the home but is wheelchair dependent in the community. Abigail is dependent for the majority of cares but wants to be able to feed herself and clean her own teeth. 

Abigail loves sport but cannot find one that is inclusive. She has recently developed right shoulder pain with painting that is persistent and beginning to impact on her sleeping. Abigail has a manual wheelchair that is outgrown and beyond repair. Her parents are about to replace their family car. She has NDIS funding and her review is due shortly.

Abigail attends a specialist paediatric physiotherapist who is able to address the complexity of her needs and goals during her transition to adulthood and independence, and through direct intervention and collaboration with other providers and systems helps her achieve them.

Specialists

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