The Physio Clinic has a dedicated Paediatric Team that provide services both in-clinic and in the community which may include the home, childcare, kindergarten, or school environment to maximise skill building and participation. Aquatic-based physiotherapy (hydrotherapy) can also be provided where appropriate – please contact us to find out more. The Physio Clinic offers services to all clients, including those funded by third parties such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and those accessing Medicare EPC agreements. Private health insurance rebates may apply, and a doctor’s referral is not required.
What is Paediatric Physiotherapy?
Our Paediatric Physiotherapists are movement specialists for infants, children and adolescents. Our goal is to improve a child’s ability to move and explore their environment to improve their participation and independence in everyday activities, play, and learning.
Our Paediatric Physiotherapists are skilled in providing assessments and developing individualised therapy approaches which are play-based, family-centred, and goal-focused.
Follow the link to learn more about what a typical paediatric physiotherapy session might involve.
Our Paediatric Physiotherapists support children with:
- Developmental Delay
- Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD
- Intellectual Disability
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Genetic/chromosomal syndromes
- Complex trauma backgrounds
- Hypermobility and low muscle tone
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Sensory impairment eg. visual impairment
- Balance and coordination difficulties
- Infant conditions such as Plagiocephaly (flat head shape), Torticollis (tight neck muscles), and Developmental Hip Dysplasia
- Atypical movement patterns such as toe-walking
- Injuries from sports or trauma
What can our Paediatric Physiotherapists help with:
- Developing gross motor milestones like rolling, crawling, sitting and walking.
- Using 1:1 play-based therapy interventions to improve a child’s gross motor skills including balance, strength, coordination, endurance, and ball skills.
- Assisting with the prescription of Assistive Technology such as walkers, wheelchairs, disability strollers, standing frames, modified bikes and orthotics.
- Post-surgery rehabilitation.
- Assessing and managing orthopaedic conditions, low muscle tone, hypermobility and gait (walking) differences.
- Assisting with symptomatic management (eg. for pain, fatigue, and spasticity).
- Developing tailored exercise and stretching programs.
- Liaising with a client’s allied health therapists, family/caregivers, service providers, schools and government bodies such as the NDIS to advocate for support and facilitate a holistic collaborative approach.
Our team use a variety of assessment tools to identify skill areas requiring support, screen for conditions, monitor progress and develop meaningful goals. Click here for more information on the assessments we use at The Physio Clinic.
Why choose The Physio Clinic?
Our Paediatric Team is passionate about child development and supporting children to achieve their goals. They recognise the importance of movement for a child’s ability to explore, learn, be independent, and interact with others. Our team use a variety of assessments to develop an individualised and comprehensive therapy program which reflects strategies that are supported by research evidence and includes tailored education and advice.
We understand that each child is unique and working together with a child’s family and support team is what ensures meaningful results.
For any queries relating to Paediatric Physiotherapy or to book an appointment, please call The Physio Clinic on 8342 1233. The Physio Clinic has wheelchair access and parking.
Meet the Team!
Maddie Dal Corobbo
Senior Physiotherapist – Paediatric Team Leader
Maddie began her career working with adults living with disabilities before finding her passion in the paediatric field. Being an autistic individual herself, Maddie is passionate about using her own lived experience to empower her clients, advocate for inclusion and use neuro-affirming approaches. Maddie feels strongly about holistically supporting a child and using their strengths to achieve goals that are important to them. Maddie is available at our Prospect clinic and for community visits around metropolitan Adelaide.
Sue Gibson
Senior Physiotherapist – Paediatric Team
Sue has over 35 years of experience working as a physiotherapist with infants, children, adolescents and adults living with physical and intellectual disabilities. She has extensive experience and skills in providing interventions for people with complex movement difficulties in a variety of settings, including the assessment and prescription of aids, equipment and assistive technology. Sue provides community-based services around metropolitan Adelaide, as well as at our Prospect and Blackwood clinics where appropriate.
Alicia Brown
Physiotherapist – Paediatric Team
Alicia has always had a strong passion for supporting children and their families. She values the role of providing education to a child’s support network in order to collaboratively work towards meaningful goals and developing an active and fulfilling life. Alicia leads our school-based clinic and aquatic therapy services. She provides services from our Prospect and Blackwood clinics, and offers community visits around metropolitan Adelaide.
Ben Barratt
Physiotherapist – Paediatric Team
Ben’s passion for working with children stems from prior experience as a swimming teacher and support worker whilst studying physiotherapy. He has experience working with both adults and children living with disabilities. Ben’s goal is to educate and empower children and their support networks, and to provide individualised therapy that is meaningful and fun. Ben is available at our Prospect clinic and for community visits around metropolitan Adelaide.
Jessica Chan
Senior Physiotherapist – Paediatric Team
Jessica has over 9 years of experience working in the physiotherapy field which has included providing services to children with disabilities. Her aim is to empower people through using a hands-on, collaborative approach, education and understanding. She is a big believer that wellness is more than just looking at the physical body. Jessica is based at our Blackwood clinic and is available for community visits in the Southern suburbs where appropriate.
Aaron Rutherford
Physiotherapist – Paediatric Team
Aaron has experience working with children and adults, but his passion for working in the paediatric space stems from his 8 years of tennis coaching while he was in school and university. Aaron’s goals are to provide children an inclusive space to develop and to have fun while achieving their goals and milestones. Aaron is based at our Blackwood clinic and is available for community visits in the Southern suburbs where appropriate.
