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 Behaviour & Development and Special Needs..

Thx,

Hmmm, I know a very good private physiotherapy practice in East London (on the edge of the city). But I don't think they have much experience of physiotherapy for kids or babies - their clientele is mostly adults with sports injuries, I think. It's called Josephine Lawson physiotherapy. I've used them a lot. They're not cheap, though.

I'd ask your GP, or maybe have a chat with someone at a practice, to see if they can recommend anyone?

Thx, I am seeing his health visitor on Monday. She is very good, so I'll talk to her on Monday about what we can do. We also get the results of the MRI on Monday as well, maybe I should wait till at least we know the results of that before heading down this route on my own...

Thanks for the name....

I suggest you ask for a referal to your local child development centre. A community paediatrian would assess your child's development and recommend any suitable treatment. Your GP cannot refuse to refer you.

My son had a child physio for 18 months on the NHS. My son could only walk on tiptoes. He could not get his feet flat at all. We had a four month wait. Most of the physio was a home exercise programme. He also had orthoric inserts.

My daughter was hypotonic and we saw a phsyio privately in Sittingbourne. She didn't sit up until 9 months but is now 3 and doing everything fine.