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Some of the signs and behaviours that prompt parents to get a
"Physio Check"
for their children

Babies less than 12 months old

1. Your baby performed poorly at the regular developmental checks with the health visitor.
2. Your baby may have feeding or swallowing difficulties.
3. Your baby does not react well when you talk to him or her, or to loud noises, banging doors etc.
4. Your baby may be very irritable , restless and has an irregular sleeping pattern.
5. Your baby may have poor head control.
6. You notice floppiness in his trunk or limbs.
7. You may notice stiffness in the legs, typically noticed during nappy changing, or your child may like to be held up in standing just too much.
8. Your baby may appear to use one hand better than the other, or she or he may always prefer to look to one side.
9. Your baby was born very prematurely, there were some complications at birth. It was weeks before you could take your baby home. At the follow-up appointment your doctor may say your baby is behind in his/her development but should eventually 'catch up'.
10. Your baby has inturning feet (positional talipes) and you may have been shown some stretches by the hospital physio whom you saw in the maternity ward. But now you are not sure whether your baby's feet are okay.
11. Your baby is 5 months old but makes no attempt at sitting up. You have also noticed that your child is slightly floppy. Your baby dislikes being placed on his/her tummy and does not appear to push up with the arms as your other children did at this age.
12. Your child engages in a lot of repetitive movements with little ot the variety you expect

Children over 12 months old

1. Your child has had his/her 1st birthday. He /she has never crawled but shuffles on his/her bottom. Your child is not motivated to stand or walk. You worry - "Is my child a late walker?"
2. Your child appears "delayed" in more than two areas.
3. Your child is uncoordinated and much more clumsy than other children you know
4. Your child has been walking for two years already but is very pigeon toed and tends to fall over his feet. Because of this, it appears, he can't run as fast as the others.
5. Your child is four years old and cannot yet ride a tricycle. He / she dislikes long walks, often falls when running around and his/her general movements appear uncoordinated. Is my child clumsy?
6. You suffer from back ache and have noticed your five year old slumped in front of the TV and think to yourself: I hope he won't get a bad back like mine!

Please remember that the above are only examples and if your baby or child does present with any one item mentioned it does not necessarily mean that your child is going to have a problem.

It is always better to seek early advice from a physiotherapist.

Frequently a little help from a physiotherapist - a "physio check" (developmental assessment) for your baby or child may simply help to put your mind at rest. Don't worry - help and advice are available!

How might physiotherapy help your child?