Physiotherapy
“Never stop moving”
What is Physiotherapy?
Pediatric Physiotherapists (PT) assess and treat children with developmental, neurological, musculoskeletal and growth-related concerns. Our therapists have acquired a comprehensive understanding of pediatric conditions, the growing body, and developmental stages and can help to ensure your child is on the path of holistic wellness into their adult years.
Physiotherapists work collaboratively with families and children on learning strategies that maximize their function to develop increased independence. The goal of our therapists is to empower families to maximize their children’s potential using play-based activities as much as possible.
Physiotherapists see children who have difficulty learning how to stabilize or move their bodies, and will provide a comprehensive assessment prior to developing a home program, treatment plan and goals of intervention. As the expert of your child, you, the parent/ caregiver, are a vital part of this process, as goals must be important to you and your family, and treatment needs to fit into your family’s lifestyle.
Physiotherapy can help children of all ages with:
- Delayed or atypical developmental milestones (late walkers, bum-shufflers, non-rollers, delayed sitting, etc.)
- Delays related to prematurity or neurological diagnoses
- Sports injuries, concussion and post-surgical rehabilitation
- Torticollis
- Baby flathead (plagiocephaly)
- Poor posture or longstanding muscle imbalances
- Difficulties with balance and/or coordination
- Developmental Coordination Disorder
- Chronic pain
- Toe-walking and w-sitting
- Movement challenges related to Cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down Syndrome, and other neurological conditions
- Hypermobility
- Genetic conditions affecting development
Results you can expect after Physiotherapy treatment:
The results of physiotherapy are fully dependent on what the family and child put into the home programming and follow-up. But with consistent engagement in therapy recommendations, you can expect your child to move closer to meeting their therapeutic goals, whatever they may be.
Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program:
Our Physiotherapist is also an authorizer with Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program and can help your family acquire necessary equipment to support your child’s development. Mobility equipment available through this program includes standing frames, gait trainers and walkers, wheelchairs, strollers and power chairs. Physiotherapists can also assist in acquiring mobility equipment necessary for school through the Special Equipment Amount (SEA) funding. This type of equipment might include specialized tricycles, desk chairs and desks, standing frames, walkers and wheelchairs.
Who is Physiotherapy for?
Physiotherapy can help children of all ages, from the premature infant who is working on head control to the older teen that requires equipment, strengthening or postural re-education. In general, if your child is challenged in moving their body with control and intention, is experiencing physical discomfort within their bodies, or would simply like to improve their posture or motor skills, we can help! We work with the client to determine goals of therapy, and then work to empower you to achieve those goals, using a variety of techniques and tools necessary to do so.
Fee Schedule for Physiotherapy
Please review the fees for the selected services. Prices are subject to change. For the most up-to-date pricing information, visit the “How it Works” page or our online booking site.
Assessment (Includes Documentation), 1 Hour
Consultation, 1 Hour
Treatment Sessions (PT), 1 hour
Treatment Sessions (PT), 45 Minutes
Treatment Sessions (PTA), 1 hour
Treatment Sessions (PTA), 45 minutes
Goal Update Session (PT Only) *includes Goal Sheet, 1 hour
Goal Update Session (PT Only) *includes Goal Sheet, 45 minutes
Seating and Mobility Assessment
Intake
It begins with a conversation. You may know what services you are looking for, or may want to talk that through with someone who can guide you. Coming into our clinic begins with a call to our Administration staff to schedule your first appointment with a therapist. This first appointment may be a consultation where we collect relevant history and the details related to your most pressing concerns. The first appointment may also involve an assessment, where we are using standardized testing to inform next steps and recommendations.
Support Plan Development
Following the consultation/assessment appointment, the therapist will use the information gathered, and with the caregiver’s input, build a mutually agreed upon support plan. This may include goals for individual therapy sessions, further additional assessments, and guiding recommendations.
Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions include the therapist, the child and the caregiver. Caregivers are encouraged to join in their child’s therapy sessions to observe the progress their child has made, to understand the activities and the desired outcome, and to learn how what happens in the therapy session can translate to the home setting. These sessions are also important in building rapport between your child, yourself and the therapist, as this is how we get to know you better and shape our sessions to meet your child’s individual needs.
Review and Next Steps
Once several therapy sessions have taken place, and the child has met their goals as laid out in their support plan, your therapist will meet with you to discuss next steps. This time of reassessment is an opportunity to celebrate the gains that have happened through therapy and determine what next steps are recommended to take place. This may include adjusting the support plan and carrying on with therapy sessions, or perhaps referring to an additional discipline to assist in reaching some new objectives, or celebrating the end of therapy sessions and your child reaching their goals!
Our Process
Here at LSCTS, our process can be boiled down to four essential steps. Our process ensures that our team follows best practices for each child and their families, every single time. Although we follow a standard process, the help and care that your child receives will be as unique as they are.
Frequently Asked Questions about Physiotherapy
Starting on your child’s therapy journey can be confusing at times. So we’ve put together some of the most frequently asked questions to help you easily navigate your journey here at LSCTS.
Do I need a medical referral to begin services?
You do not need a medical referral to access any of our services
Is my child too young for physiotherapy?
No, physiotherapy can work with premature infants and their families to optimize motor development, prevent deformity and atypical movement patterns, and provide education regarding motor milestones, developmental expectations, and activity recommendations.
Is my child’s posture normal?
A toddler’s typical postural alignment is very different from that of a child or adolescent. As a baby spends more time on his feet and acquires independent walking, the leg bones undergo significant remodeling changing the posture drastically. There are also many variations of typical posture that are acceptable and healthy. Your child’s physiotherapist will fully assess posture as a part of their clinical exam and help you determine if exercises, orthotics or activity modifications may be required to help improve your child’s postural alignment.
When can I start putting my baby on their tummy?
Tummy time for infants should start immediately, assuming that there is no medical or respiratory condition making this posture unsafe for your baby. Start with your baby laying on your chest as you lay in bed or on the couch or floor. Your baby will usually tolerate tummy time better if they are close to you and feel safe and supported. Tummy time can be difficult for infants, as their heads are heavy and it requires a great deal of strength to lift them against gravity. However, by working on tummy time, the neck and back muscles become stronger, and tummy time becomes better tolerated by your infant. Start for short intervals and get down on the floor or bed with your baby and interact with them and praise them on their tummy. They enjoy looking at their reflection, so using a mirror in tummy time can also be helpful!
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