Physiotherapy
A service that helps children and youth with movement and mobility.
Physiotherapy helps children and youth with movement difficulties. Physiotherapy services can assist them to achieve their maximum level of functional independence and mobility.
Physiotherapy can be a helpful service for your child if they have difficulties with:
- muscle and joint function
- strength and endurance
- mobility and gait
- cardiopulmonary status
- balance and coordination
- posture and stability
- sensory and neuromotor development
- equipment, splinting and bracing needs
- transfers and lifts
- safety and accessibility
Physiotherapy Services Include:
Physiotherapy promotes motor development and function, fosters independence, and increases participation in daily activities and routines at home, school, childcare and within the community.
Our Physiotherapy services are provided by registered Physiotherapists and/or Therapy Assistants and include direct individual and group therapy sessions, as well as consultation and training workshops for parents, caregivers, day care staff and teachers. Additionally, we provide home programs so parents and caregivers can support their child in an everyday environment.
Eligibility
Children and youth (up to 19 years of age, or 21 if they are attending secondary school) who reside within the Districts if Muskoka, Nipissing and Parry Sound with a physical, developmental or communication disability.
Referral
Referrals can be made by a parent, caregiver, family physician, pediatricians and/or other third party referrals with parental consent:
Resources
0-18 months
Exersaucer and Jolly Jumper Guidelines
Exersaucers and Jolly Jumpers allow infants to play safely in a safe, contained space and gives parents a break for a short time.
Positions for Play
Good positioning supports and balances the body so the arms and hands can move freely to perform various tasks. This promotes learning as the child is not distracted by maintaining their body position.
The Importance of Crawling for Future Motor Skills
Crawling on the palms, and general weight bearing through the arms and hands, helps with fine motor development. It helps to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder girdle which is necessary in order to have control at the hand.
Tummy Time
Strengthens muscles in babies’ neck, back, hips, shoulders, arms, and hands.
18 months – 4 years
Bike Riding
How to know when your child is ready to ride a bike? Interest! As a parent you might be super excited for your child to ride a bike, but are they ready?
Choosing a Supportive Shoe
It’s important to provide your child with supportive shoes for gross motor play activities. Remember: good shoes don’t have to be expensive to provide support to developing feet!
Core strength
Core strength refers to the ability of the deep abdominal muscles, diaphragm, pelvic floor and back muscles to work together in order to stabilize our trunk. The core muscles are important during walking, running, throwing, kicking and so on.
Flat feet (pes planus)
Many children and adults have flat feet, known as pes planus. They stand and walk with flat feet or “fallen arches”.
Intoeing
Intoeing is seen when a child walks with their legs and feet turned inwards instead of forwards and is also called “pigeon-toed”.
Jumping
Learning to jump off the ground is part of typical child development and this skill takes balance, coordination and strength and helps with activities such as riding a tricycle, stairs, inclines, etc.
Stairs
We encourage climbing and practicing stairs with your child while remaining in very close proximity which allows the activity to be as safe as possible.
Toe walking Tips
While you are waiting to see the Physiotherapist who will instruct you in techniques to lengthen your child’s tight muscles, you can immediately begin activities to improve the condition.
4 years +
Bike Riding
How to know when your child is ready to ride a bike? Interest! As a parent you might be super excited for your child to ride a bike, but are they ready?
Choosing a Supportive Shoe
It’s important to provide your child with supportive shoes for gross motor play activities. Remember: good shoes don’t have to be expensive to provide support to developing feet!
Flat feet (pes planus)
Many children and adults have flat feet, known as pes planus. They stand and walk with flat feet or “fallen arches”.
Intoeing
Intoeing is seen when a child walks with their legs and feet turned inwards instead of forwards and is also called “pigeon-toed”.
Jumping
Learning to jump off the ground is part of typical child development and this skill takes balance, coordination and strength and helps with activities such as riding a tricycle, stairs, inclines, etc.
Sensory Based Toe Walking Handout
Some research suggests that increased sensory stimulation through various sensory based activities, seemingly unrelated to gait, may assist in decreasing the need for children to seek this input through toe walking therefore reducing their toe walking.
Toe walking Tips
While you are waiting to see the Physiotherapist who will instruct you in techniques to lengthen your child’s tight muscles, you can immediately begin activities to improve the condition.
School Readiness
Gross Motor for School Entry
Gross motor skills are our body’s large movements. This includes: walking, running, hopping, jumping, skipping, rolling, crawling, dancing and reaching.