What does a paediatric physiotherapist do?
We may be a little biased, but here at Little Leaps we truly believe that being a paediatric physiotherapist is the BEST job ever.
Paediatric physiotherapists work with children from their very first days of life right through to adolescence. Our focus is simple - helping children move, play and participate in the activities that matter most to them and their families.
Children may see a paediatric physiotherapist for many different reasons related to movement, development or physical function. Paediatric physiotherapists work across a wide range of settings and with many different conditions. For example, a paediatric physiotherapist might be:
assessing the quality of movement in a premature baby in the neonatal intensive care unit
helping a child rehabilitate after a stroke or injury
running aquatic physiotherapy sessions for a child with cerebral palsy
supporting children to develop the strength, balance and coordination they need for everyday activities
Visiting a child’s school to support safe, inclusive and fun physical activities with peers.
At its core, paediatric physiotherapy applies the same foundational knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, movement science and exercise therapy that all physiotherapists use. The difference is that we are applying this knowledge to a body that is constantly growing, developing and changing - which makes the work both fascinating and incredibly rewarding.
Like all physiotherapists, we are trained to carefully assess how the body moves and how this compares to what we would typically expect for a child’s age. We look at your child’s body structure and function, their individual challenges, and how these might impact their ability to participate in everyday life - whether that’s playing with friends, joining in at school, participating in sport, or simply exploring the playground.
