Pediatric physiotherapy...any experiences?

[mm22bys]

Hi, I have a few concerns about my DS2's development, and while he is being investigated for underlying causes by an opthalmologist and neurologist (including having an MRI scan), I have found some articles on the web indicating that maybe some physiotherapy may be a good idea for him.

Briefly, he was showing signs of poor vision, and head control, but since his initial appt with the opthalmologist he has been followed up and he is now responsive to light, smiles, fixes on and tracks objects, so hopefully his vision is just "delayed" (he'll have further appts in July and September).

He has mediocre head control, and my health visitor has given me some exercises to improve this.

He can't sit unaided, and he can't lift his head when he lies on his stomach.

I think he is "behind" other children his age (six months) I am not sure I am doing enough for him.

Do you have any experience of physiotherapists? How did you find one, and did you self-refer, or could I get referred by my GP (I really don't want to have to wait too long - I don't want to just "wait and see").

I am in east London, but would be prepared to travel to see someone "good".

I'll x-post this to Health and Special Needs..

Thx,

[choosyfloosy]

no specific experience - i think most physios will prefer a gp referral, esp for a small child. No recommendations I'm afraid -I'd make an appt with the GP for a few days away, get a few recommendations, ring them, then go to the GP, who may in fact have other thoughts anyway, or a good recommendation.

You could ring the GP's secretary before the appointment and ask if there is anyone they usually refer to for this - just say you would like to find out more about them before the appt or whatever.

[mm22bys]

Thx, you are right and I probably should talk to GP first. I am seeing the health visitor on Monday (she's very good), and we get the results of the MRI on Monday as well, so maybe I'll wait till after I talked to the health visitor and neurologist before going down this route....

Thx

[MommyUpNorth]

Hi mm2bys,

I don't have any experience of physiotherapists yet, but I'm sort of in the same boat. We were admitted to hospital last Sunday for neurological investigations for my ds (6 months on Monday). One of the things the neurologist recommended was getting us in to see a physio as ds is weak and can hardly hold his head up yet, doesn't do much when on his tummy & can't even sit very well when we hold him in position. I'll be looking forward to any responses you receive as I'd like to know what sort of exercises they might recommend.

My ds also has a visual delay (1st symptom that something was 'wrong' & now diagnosed with Visual Maturation Delay), mild hearing loss, and he had his EEG & MRI last week. We're under all sorts of specialists at the moment but no diagnosis of anything yet.

[NAB3]

Have answered on the other thread. My DD was hypotonic.

[mm22bys]

Wow MummyUpNorth, your DS sounds almost exactly like my DS!

He's seen the opthalmologist twice now, and he is pretty certain its DVM, but we are having more scans in July.

He also can't do much on his tummy, and his newborn hearing test came back fine. I actually don't think there is anything wrong with his hearing.

We get the MRI results on Monday.

If you would like, I'd love to keep in contact as it seems we might be travelling a similar journey - please feel free to CAT me (or I contact you?)

In the meantime, I'll update here as we learn anything new.

All the best to you and your DS,

[mm22bys]

NAB3, thanks I'll check out your response on the other thread...

[NAB3]

I can't find it myself now.

[ScottishMummy]

u need Gp and/or hospital referral to paeds physio for assessment eg motor skills. u need to initiate the request for referral and most PCT and/or Nhs trusts have targets regards paed waiting times too so also query that

good luck

[mm22bys]

Thanks....are you just talking about getting therapy through the NHS?


"Waiting time targets".....gggggggrrrrr.....

We are seeing the neurologist tomorrow so depending on what he says I am going to ask what I have to do to get him therapy (no ifs buts or maybes - he's going to get it!)


Thx,

[ScottishMummy]

yes - im referring to NHS therapy provision

[MommyUpNorth]

mm22bys I have sent you a CAT. Sorry I didn't come back to you sooner but we've been in hospital again (chest infection). I would like to keep in contact as they do sound fairly similar.

Back onto this topic, and I've talked to my HV this morning about the physio again and she'll put in a request to the community paed to see if there is someone available in the area.

Best wishes for your appointment today.