MOVEability Offer Physiotherapy Services for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Physiotherapy Treatment for Cerebral Palsy:

  1. Neurodevelopment Therapy (NDT) / Bobath: is our traditional approach to therapy which is play-based therapy and often child-led, where our therapists assist in facilitating movement and play considering body alignment  and the integration of postural control and stability.
  2. Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI): is a newly added approach to therapy which is harnesses the power of neuroplasticity to make rapid and long lasting changes in a child’s brain so they can learn new skills and reach their developmental milestones. DMI progresses support provided to the child from a proximal to distal (support given lower on the body) with the child’s hands free. Each time we give the child less support, the child has to activate with more postural control and work harder towards strength and independence. This approach to therapy is appropriate for any level of development from infancy to children who are developing skills in balance, stepping and higher level gross motor skills. For the higher level exercises a series of wooden boxes and beams are used to step in and out of walk and walk across to challenge the child’s strength and balance.
  3. Gym Sessions: can be arranged at a convenient location to facilitate an ongoing independent program in the community. This is usually most relevant for the older adolescents.
  4. Education and involvement of the wider community: we provide therapy in ANY relevant location including but not limited to homes, kindergyms, kindergartens, child care centres, schools. In doing so, we can observe the child in their natural environment and problem solve any issues around access, movement and participation relevant to your child specific needs. In these situations we collaborate and provide information to your child’s teacher and wider family and community so that advice and suggestions can be more broadly applied for better and quicker outcomes.
  5. Advocacy and Joint Sessions: navigating complex physical and or medical needs can be confusing and or challenging when multiple parties and opinions are involved. At MOVEability we are available to attend relevant appointments with you to advocate for your needs and or to collaborate with third parties. Examples of this role may include attending appointments with you at WCH to plan and prepare for surgery where we can provide high level detail on your child’s abilities to assist in the decision making process. Another common example is we can attend joint therapy sessions with say an occupational therapist (OT) so that physiotherapy advice and suggestions can be incorporated into your OT sessions and vice versa for optimal outcomes.
Physiotherapy for a Child with Cerebral Palsy

MOVEability Physiotherapy offer Specialised Care and Physiotherapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

At MOVEability Physiotherapy, we understand the unique challenges that children with cerebral palsy face, and we are committed to providing specialised physiotherapy to enhance their movement, muscle development, and overall well-being. Cerebral palsy ecompasses disorders in various motor functions including but not limited to muscle control, body movement, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, oral motor functioning, posture and balance.  Physiotherapy plays a key role in the management of cerebral palsy (CP), facilitating participation, engagement, muscle development, and general inclusion to help children with cerebral palsy in reducing the physical impairments of the symptoms.

Key Aspects of Our Cerebral Palsy Physiotherapy Services:

  1. Customised Treatment Plans: We recognise that each child with cerebral palsy is unique. Our highly experienced physiotherapists create personalised treatment plans tailored to address specific needs, ensuring a targeted and effective approach to managing movement challenges.
  2. Current and Best Practice to Physiotherapy Care: new and emerging evidence and approaches to cerebral palsy management are always occurring, and at MOVEability we pride ourselves in staying up-to-date and trained in the best and most effective strategies to therapy approach, equipment prescription, foot and body orthotic prescription, and relevant adjuncts to therapy like usage of electrical stimulation, vibration therapy for example.
  3. Highly trained in a variety of therapy approaches: Every child is different and responds differently to therapy therefore making it vitally important to have multiple tools and options in our tool kit to assist keeping a child engaged, and or additionally to resort to if results are not achieved or as expected. At MOVEability our primary approach to care is a combination of play-based Neurodevelopment Therapy (NDT) / Bobath, and more recently Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI).
  4. Expert knowledge of gait (walking pattern) assessment and orthotic prescription: Gait pattern is a key variable that is impacted by cerebral palsy and at MOVEability we have undergone additional specialised training in this area where we can identify, treat and manage patterns as they are observed. There are a number of identifiable types of cerebral palsy gait patterns, but likewise there are many deviations that we see as all children present slightly differently. Most frequently, children with cerebral palsy require orthotic prescription to address some of these gait anomalies observed, some of which require high customisation of prescription. At MOVEability we have completed “Pediatric Gait Analysis and Orthotic Management: Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment Approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR)” training and implement this routinely in collaboration with Protek in Mile End, an orthotic and prosthetic provider.
  5. Understanding of the impact of CP on life stages: cerebral palsy is a non-progressive condition, however the presentation and requirements of physiotherapy input changes over time as impacted by growth of the child and by requirements of circumstance and development, for example transitioning to kindergarten and school for example. As experienced therapists who have worked in this specific field for over 15 years and have followed children long-term through these stages before, we are able to anticipate and prepare for future needs and requirements in advance.
  6. Community Networks of Related Services: having significant experience in the field of CP management, MOVEability has strong networks and relationships with many relevant third party organisations including WCH Rehabilitation Department, equipment suppliers, other allied health providers such as orthotists, speech and feeding therapists, and inclusive sport organisations etc. These networks add significant value as we are able to communicate and link our clients in to other services with ease and speed given our knowledge of the sector and pathways required to achieve these outcomes.
  7. Equipment Prescription: at MOVEability we like to consider ourselves as a “one-stop-shop” where we can meet all of your child’s physiotherapy needs and do not need to outsource any physiotherapy request. We are able to assist our clients in any equipment prescription relevant that falls into the physiotherapy scope of practice which includes but is not limited to seating, walkers, wheeled mobility including strollers and manual and powered wheelchairs, and most types of orthotics.
  8. Expert Professionalism: Our team of experienced physiotherapists are dedicated to delivering high-quality care with a focus on professionalism. We are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children with cerebral palsy and their families.

How MOVEability Physiotherapy Can Help:

  • Individualised Care: We recognise the individual needs of each child and tailor our physiotherapy interventions accordingly.
  • Holistic Approach: Our approach goes beyond addressing immediate physical challenges. We consider the holistic well-being of the child, incorporating strategies to improve overall quality of life.
  • Family Involvement: We believe in the importance of involving families in the therapy process. We provide guidance and support to parents and caregivers to continue therapeutic activities at home.
  • Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments: As part of our commitment to excellence, we continuously monitor progress and make adjustments to treatment plans as needed to ensure optimal results.

Get Started with MOVEability Physiotherapy:

If your child has cerebral palsy and you are seeking expert physiotherapy services, contact MOVEability Physiotherapy today. Let us work together to create a customised plan that supports your child’s movement, development, and overall well-being.

EXPERIENCED THERAPISTS

with over 15+ years experience in the field of paediatrics

MOBILE PHYSIO SERVICES

making treatment options simpler

Get in Touch

To schedule a mobile community-based paediatric physiotherapy session with Moveability, please contact us using the information provided below. We look forward to supporting your child’s developmental journey.

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