At The Kids Place we work closely with children and babies with neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy (including hemiplegia, diplegia, and dystonia) stroke and brain injury.
A collaborative therapy approach is important to us, with parent / whanau and carer involvement an essential part of the therapy process.
As therapists, we are trained in and use, the Bobath or neurodevelopmental approach (NDT) to manage children with neurological conditions and Cerebral Palsy (CP). Treatment is based on a goal-orientated and task-specific approach through play and includes teaching caregivers facilitation and handling techniques to enable the child to move in the most efficient way.
The aim of therapy is to encourage and increase the child’s ability to move and function as normally as possible, while reducing secondary joint and muscle tightness (due to growth and spasticity) and loss of strength and range of movement.
We have created a fun and safe environment that caters to all age ranges and ability levels, and we often work closely with our Occupational Therapist colleagues to work on play skills, hand function and the sensory or emotional needs of your child.
We are also very happy to link in with other healthcare providers, including the public therapy team, as well as kindergarten and school to ensure carry over of goals and treatment advice.
At The Kids Place:
We offer support for your family / whanau in the following ways:
- One on one, fun physiotherapy sessions with your child to maximise your child’s potential.
- Individualised programmes that promote not only physical development, but aim to improve confidence, self-esteem, and enjoyment of life’s adventures.
- Goal setting for your child in a collaborative, family centred way. We will support you and your child to achieve the goals that are important to you both. Regular parent meetings are encouraged to make sure we are all working towards the same goals.
- Treatment may include stretching, strengthening, balance or gait retraining, working on normal movement patterns and activities of daily living, as well as education and support to parents, caregivers, and teachers.
- Shared sessions with an Occupational Therapist will often be recommended to assist the child at different stages of their development.
- We can provide clinical observations and formal standardised assessments to support a child’s therapy programs or to provide professional information and results to other members of the child’s health team.