They say it takes a village to raise a child. Sometimes a child’s ‘village’ needs to include additional support!
Stepping Forward Therapy Services can assess and treat a wide range of paediatric physical and neurological conditions.
As experts in movement, biomechanics and development, we are well placed to address concerns you may have for your child. This may include experiences of pain, concern about postures, concerns about how your child moves and/or concerns about your child’s ability to develop age appropriate motor skills.
We work closely with other health professionals and Educators to help children reach their physical and developmental potential. This includes: Equipment providers, Exercise Physiologists, General Practitioners, Geneticists , Maternal & Child Health Nurses, Music Therapists, Neurologists , Occupational Therapists, Orthotists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Paediatricians, Psychologists and Speech Therapists.
At every stage, our physiotherapists are able to facilitate continued growth and development of your child. This assists them in reaching developmental milestones, participating and being included in all facets of daily life.
This includes getting ready for school, mobility in school and their broader community, and pursuing their interests/ participating in sport.
Some of the concerns we commonly treat are:
Uneven head shape and flat spots (plagiocephaly, scaphocephaly and brachycephaly).
Delay in reaching developmental milestones, such as sitting, crawling, rolling and walking.
Difficulty with age appropriate gross motor play (For example: difficulty climbing stairs, difficulty hopping or jumping).
Rehabilitation after a fracture or surgery. Our physiotherapists can provide Post Intervention Therapy (PIT) coordinated and funded through the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Difficulty with the physical aspect of a neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Muscular Atrophies/Dystrophies and Spina Bifida. We can facilitate their ability to access play, to participate with peers and/or learn age appropriate movement and independence.
Assessment and prescription for rehabilitative equipment, adaptive equipment or promoting safe access. Our therapists are registered prescribers of the StateWide Equipment Program (SWEP).
This isn’t limited to hands on treatment. Should you need it, we can lend assistance in the following services:
Education and training of parents and/or caregivers regarding our recommendations and treatment.
Goal Setting and Therapy Planning that involves your child, you and the school.
Advising and/or assisting with applications for funding for your child. We are experienced in assisting with funding submissions through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Independent Schools Victoria and the Catholic Education Office.
Monitoring and continued support.
We provide and friendly and supportive environment for your child to develop skills, gain strength and/or flexibility and reach gross motor milestones that will impact their main purpose – to play.
Stepping Forward Therapy Services are experienced working with the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and provide services for families that have self-managed and financial intermediary managed funding.
