by Robyn Davidson, MPT, Registered Pediatric Physiotherapist
Kemptville Physiotherapy Centre is a proud part of our wonderful community and we love everything this area has to offer. We do recognize that it can be incredibly challenging to access specialized services for children outside of a large city. We feel passionately about serving our community and we hope this new service can help many families here in the North Grenville area.
What is Pediatric Physiotherapy?
Pediatric Physiotherapists are experts in the development of gross motor skills in children up to 18 years of age. Gross motor skills include walking, running, sitting, crawling, and other activities that involve controlling large muscles in the body. An optimal time to work on the development of gross motor skills is preschool age (2-6 years old). Many different genetic, neurological, developmental, cardiorespiratory, and/or orthopedic conditions can impact a child’s gross motor skill development. Pediatric Physiotherapists assess, diagnose, and treat children with a focus on improving function and increasing independence.
How will my child benefit?
Physiotherapy has been shown to have a positive and significant impact on breathing, co-ordination, muscle strength, and physical endurance in children with various conditions like cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, global devel- opmental delay, and spina bifida. Physiotherapy has shown significant long-term benefits including improved quality of life, reduced disability, reduced need for surgery, and increased opportunities for social engagement.
Family Centered Care
We believe that the child and their family should be active partners in their health and well-being. The treatment goals and plan are developed in conjunction with a family’s priorities for their child, their lifestyle, and their natural routines. A detailed description of “What To Expect At Your First Visit” is on our website under Pediatric Physiotherapy Services along with an example of a short term goal. The first visit may be an in-person visit or it may take place over a video call with a Registered Pediatric Physiotherapist. We prefer a video call (or TeleRehab as we like to call it) as you get to stay in the comfort of your own home, we get to evaluate the child in their most natural and familiar environment, and we get to observe the space and equipment available to the family (which is vital to creating an effective treatment plan for you and your child).
For more information about Pediatric Physiotherapy including commonly treated conditions, what to expect at your first visit, FAQ, and more visit www.kemptvillephysio.com or call us at 613.258.7661
Stay strong, stay healthy!