Paediatric physiotherapy is a dynamic field of clinical practice that is focused on improving the participation of children and their families in all aspects of life. To effectively meet this challenge, physiotherapist must move beyond their traditional role as health care clinicians and assume leadership in complementary areas of professional practice.
The paediatric physiotherapist:
Uses clinical expertise in the early detection of health problems, diagnosis, treatment, and management of infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, cardiorespiratory or acquired disorders/diseases.
Uses evidence-based practices, in concert with clinical expertise in designing patient-specific treatments that focus on improving gross and fine motor skills, balance and coordination, strength and endurance, as well as cognitive and sensory processing/integration.
Works with patients and their families within the enablement model of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). This framework promotes participation which is the interaction among body structure/function, activity demands, social and attitudinal aspects of the environment and the individual and his or her family, habits and lifestyle.
Designs interventions that focus on strengthening the patient’s participation and function in natural learning environments such as the home, community and school which allows for motor learning and skill development in with family and peers.
