Canberra Children’s Physiotherapy

For Emily Evans, director of Canberra Children’s Physiotherapy, paediatric physiotherapy is not simply adult physiotherapy delivered to smaller bodies.

“Children have different needs than adults do,” Emily explains. “And the training for most physiotherapists is in the adult sphere.”

The children who come through the clinic may be babies who are not yet rolling, crawling or walking. Others may present with torticollis, plagiocephaly, hip dysplasia, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular conditions, rare genetic conditions, sporting injuries, headaches, migraines, knee pain or growing pains.

“It’s quite broad, but niche,” she comments.

The clinic environment matters too. Emily points out that a paediatric setting needs to be designed with children in mind, from the physical space through to the way appointments are structured. A children’s clinic, in her view, needs to be safe, specific and built around the way children move, learn and participate.

That thinking extends to assessment. Emily’s approach is centred on understanding what may be sitting underneath a child’s movement difficulty, rather than treating each milestone as a standalone task.

“We’re very much wanting to find the why kids are delayed at our clinic,” she explains. “So we’ll really look and see. Okay, why is a child not rolling? So is it that they’ve got tight muscles? Is it that they’re weak?”

From there, the treatment plan is shaped around the individual child, their presentation and their goals.

“We want children to be able to fill the gaps of their development and then be able to go forth and do all of the things that they want to do.”

About Emily Evans

Emily grew up in Jerrabomberra, which she still counts as Canberra, no matter what anyone says.

“I don’t know, everyone says fake Canberran, but I think Jerra’s Canberra,” she laughs.

Emily completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Australian Catholic University in Brisbane, then returned to Canberra and began working locally from 2019. A few years later, she moved into paediatrics and went on to complete a Masters in Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy through Monash University.

What drew her further into children’s work was the way paediatric care often involves the whole family. Parents, she found, are usually closely involved in what happens between appointments.

Now offering Occupational Therapy

Canberra Children’s Physiotherapy has grown beyond physiotherapy alone, with paediatric occupational therapists now working alongside the physiotherapy team.

The occupational therapists work with children on equipment prescription and daily living skills. That might include organising a wheelchair, supportive chair or shower seat, or supporting a child with the skills involved in attending school, playing with peers, dressing independently or sitting at the dinner table with family.

The clinic works with NDIS participants and also offers mobile paediatric physiotherapy and hydrotherapy across the Canberra region. The practice continues to grow as families move in and out of different stages of care.

One current focus is early assessment for babies at risk of torticollis and plagiocephaly. Torticollis can restrict a baby’s neck movement and may be associated with flattening at the back of the head. Emily said the clinic has introduced an assessment pathway for children under eight weeks who may be at risk.

For families, the aim is to identify concerns early, explain what is happening and discuss appropriate next steps.

Families usually find the clinic through paediatricians, GPs, lactation consultants or midwives. Others arrive after searching questions like why their child is not crawling or walking.

What to look for in a children’s physio

For any parent choosing a children’s physiotherapist, Emily’s advice is simple. Look for an assessment that is specific to the individual child.

“I would make sure that they do an assessment that’s specific to the individual child,” comments Emily. “What individual features of this person is stopping them from being able to move?”

Emily’s expectation at her clinic is that families leave feeling welcomed, supported and heard.

Canberra Children’s Physiotherapy, a specialist paediatric physiotherapy clinic operates from Phillip and Waramanga. If you’re concerned about your child’s health and need an assessment from a quality Canberra based clinic, get in touch with them today.