Private physio, is it worth it?

[elliejjtiny]

Ds4 is 8 years old, has moderate learning difficulties, hypermobility and some medical issues. He has always walked on his toes and been clumsy but it's been getting worse over the last few months and he has been wearing out the toes in his shoes in a couple of weeks. He used to wear piedro boots but swapped to peapod dinky insoles when he was about 4. He saw an nhs physio from birth to age 2 and occupational therapist from aged 1 to 4.

We finally saw the orthotist this week after waiting 3 months for an appointment. He said there are no structural issues with his feet and that it's habit and we should just tell him to walk with his heels on the floor. I also got a telling off for not still doing the physio exercises even after I told him he was discharged from the physio aged 2 and he is now 8!

I was expecting a referral to nhs physio or at least more supportive insoles but we were just given a new set of peapod dinky insoles in the next size up and told to come back in 12 months. I asked about physio but was told there was no need and to just start doing the exercises from 6 years ago before he could walk.

Should I be looking at private physio? We can afford it but only just so only want to do that if it's really necessary.

In our experience a good private physio is worth their weight in gold, but a mediocre physio isn't worth the expense in my opinion.

Does DS have an EHCP? Physiotherapy can be included in there.

Thankyou. He does have an Ehcp. I didn't realise that physio could be added to ehcp. We tried to have speech therapy added but the school speech therapist said that his speech was normal for his age despite his speech being only just understood by me. Grandparents who see him several times a week can't understand what he is saying at all.

It's times like this that I really miss our health visitor. She wasn't great with the advice but she was brilliant at getting appointments and referrals sorted.

You may have to fight for it but physio can be included in section F. Both DS1 and DS3 have it in their EHCPs.

The SALT is talking rubbish. DS1 and DS3 are both academically able and have 'normal' speech in that they can physically speak in some settings, but SALT is about much more than the physical act of speaking. I would be amazed if a DC with MLD wouldn't benefit from SALT.

I would ask for an early review or reassessment of needs and then appeal if the LA won't amend to include physio and SALT (and OT if that's not in the EHCP). You might need independent assessments.