What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists are regulated health professionals with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, who work with children and adolescents with movement difficulties to help them achieve their maximum level of functional independence and mobility.

Physiotherapy promotes motor development and function, fosters independence and increases participation in daily activities and routines at home, school, daycare and community and eases care giving. Practical suggestions may be given regarding:

1. Positioning for activities of daily living
2. Adapting toys for play
3. Expanding mobility options
4. Using equipment effectively and safely

At the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre- Algoma, Physiotherapists provide services for children from birth to 19 years of age with a variety of conditions. The Physiotherapist works closely with the child, the family, caregivers and other health care professionals to establish individualized therapy goals and treatment plans.

Physiotherapist work with children who have difficulty with:

• Muscle and joint function
• Muscle tone
• Strength and endurance
• Mobility and gait
• Cardiopulmonary status
• Fitness
• Balance and coordination
• Posture and stability
• Sensory and neuromotor development
• Equipment, splinting and bracing needs
• Transfers and lifts
• Safety and accessibility
• Recreational needs

Prior to intervention the Physiotherapist will complete a comprehensive assessment help understand your child’s motor skills and interests. Therapists use a variety of observational and standardized assessment tools to measure physical and developmental change. Therapists can help you understand your child’s development in comparison to their peers and help you recognize changes in your own child over time. As well as looking at motor development, the therapist will assess and try to better understand your child’s:

• How the bones and muscles work together to move the body.
• How does the brain and nervous system work to move the muscle and bones.
• How well does the muscles and nervous system work together to help the client move around safely and independently in their home, school and community.
• Need for equipment to help with mobility and functional skills such as transfers and stairs.

Types of Therapy Services:

• Direct therapy, either individual or groups, offered by a therapist or therapy assistant.
• Monitoring in which the therapist trains someone else involved with the child on a more regular basis to carry out the physiotherapy plan. The therapist is in regular contact with the person who carries out the program.
• Consultation with parents, caregivers, day care staff, school staff, etc to address the needs identified in the assessment and to help the client develop the skills to achieve their goals.
• Home programs for use by parents, caregivers, day care staff, school staff
• Physiotherapists are involved in a number of clinics at the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre- Algoma including:
  • Orthopaedic
  • Orthotic
  • Botox
  • Neuromuscular
• Collaboration with children and their families, caregivers, daycare and school staff and other agencies to provide individualized treatment plans suited to the child and family’s strengths and needs.
• Education and training for families, school personnel and caregivers on, gross motor programs, the use of equipment, safe lifting and other related issues

The type(s) of intervention chosen will depend on the needs of the client. The physiotherapist also supports the parents and caregivers to teach them how to help the child in home, school and community settings.

Eligibility for Physiotherapy Services
The CRCA Physiotherapy department provides service to:

• All children with gross motor and mobility issues up to the age of five.
• Only children with complex needs from the age of 5-19.

With the parent consent, the Physiotherapist will initiate a physiotherapy referral to the Northeast Community Care Access Centre- School Health Program (NECCAC), for children who are over the age of 5 and continue to have balance and co-ordination difficulties. The CRCA team will assist the family with the transition to the new service provider via arranging a meeting between the family, NECCAC and CRCA.