ErinoakKids - Physiotherapy

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Home / All Services / Services / Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a type of health care that specializes in the prevention and alleviation of movement disorders of the arms, legs and trunk, and helps children and youth to move and function.

Physiotherapy services may be delivered by a Physiotherapist (PT), who will assess your child and set an intervention plan, and a Physiotherapy Therapy Assistant (PTA), who helps carry out treatment under the supervision of the PT.

The Physiotherapy team at ErinoakKids is focused on helping children and youth develop skills and creating environments to help them physically function at their best possible level. We work together in collaboration with the family and the whole service team.

On This Page

What Do Physiotherapy Services Involve?

Typical Conditions Seen by ErinoakKids PTs

Referral Process and Criteria

Typical Development and When to Call For Help

PT Resources for Caregivers

What Do Physiotherapy Services Involve?

Physiotherapy services may involve:

Screening, assessment, treatment and consultation.
Individual/group therapy, coaching and home programming, and/or workshops and other resources.
Consultation to caregivers and professionals who are part of the client's team.
Prescription of therapeutic equipment such as splints, walkers, standers.
Teaching of functional exercises such as walking, negotiating stairs, or propelling a wheelchair.
Home programming and consultation to caregivers, professionals and supportive personnel who interact with the child/youth
Promotion of participation in sports and recreation activities, both at ErinoakKids and in the community
Promotion of movement, participation and independence in the home, daycare and community environments.
Referrals to other ErinoakKids services or community service providers.

Typical conditions seen by ErinoakKids Physiotherapists

Cerebral Palsy
Acquired Brain Injury
Spina Bifida
Skeletal (bone) disorders (Achrondroplasia, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Arthrogryphosis, Congenital or traumatic amputation)
Neuromuscular disorders (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker and Limb Girdle Dystrophies, Spinal Muscular Atrophy)
Neural Tube deficits
Torticollis
Metabolic, mitochondrial disorders with neurological impairment
Medically fragile

Referral Process and Criteria

A referral is required to access Physiotherapy services. Health professionals, families and clients can complete our online referral form. If you are looking for the SBRS referral form, please visit the School Based Rehabilitation Services webpage.

Below are the criteria for Physiotherapy services:

Children 0 – 19 years old with:
- a physical or developmental delay/disability
- require therapy to improve gross motor function (movement)
- Does not include children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning disability (LD)
Must live in Peel, Halton or Dufferin

Start a Referral

Referrals will be reviewed, and services will be determined based on the child's individual needs and meeting eligibility requirements.

Online Referral Form

*Once the referral form has been submitted, you will have an opportunity to download a PDF copy of the referral form. A password is required to open the PDF referral form, which is identified on the Thank You page.

Please refer to the referral download guide for more information.

Typical Development and When to Call For Help

Developmental milestones are important age-specific skills that are used to help check on how your child is developing.

Below, we've listed some milestones that are commonly seen in most typically developing children and when to call for help if your child is not reaching certain milestones.

You are your child's best advocate. If you have any concerns about your child's development, don't hesitate to seek help from your pediatrician or contact our intake services for more information.

Typical Development:

Lifts and holds head up while on tummy
Pushes up on arms while lying on tummy
Moves legs and arms away from surface when lying on back

When To Call For Help:

Not able to lift head and hold it up while on tummy
Stiff legs with little or no movement
Not observing a kicking motion while lying on back
Arches neck and back when lying on back

Typical Development:

Uses hands to support self while sitting
Rolls onto tummy and back
While standing with support, accepts entire weight with legs
Reaches for toys while on tummy
Reaches both hands to play with feet

When To Call For Help:

Not able to sit using hands for support
Poor ability to control head movements or position
Arches back and stiffens legs when pulling to a sit position

Typical Development:

Sits and reaches for toys without falling
Can get into a sitting position
Crawls on hands and knees or creeps with alternate leg movement
Turns head to (look at and follow) parent or objects
Starts to pull to a stand

When To Call For Help:

Not able to sit independently
Uses only one side of the body to move
Cannot take weight on legs
Legs crossed and stiff

Typical Development:

Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture
Stands alone
May take some steps alone
Moves in and out of various positions to explore environment
Maintains sitting balance when throwing objects

When To Call For Help:

Not able to get into standing without using support from furniture or caregiver
Not able to crawl
Legs crossed when pulling to stand
Only able to sit with weight to one side
Stiff arms

Typical Development:

Walks alone
Squats to pick up a toy

When To Call For Help:

Not able to take steps without support of furniture or caregivers hand
Not able to stand hands free
Not able to crawl to climb stairs
Needs mobility device for walking

Typical Development:

Frequently moving in and out of various positions (i.e. climbing, cruising, and walking)
Can maintain balance when gently bumped by peers
Able to throw and attempt to catch ball without losing balance

When To Call For Help:

Not able to maintain balance when gently bumped by peers
Not walking up or down stairs with hand support
Specialized equipment to walk or use of a wheelchair

Typical Development:

Has adequate endurance and strength to play with peers
Coordinates movements needed for activities at the playground
Usually walks with heel toe pattern
Able to walk and maintain balance over uneven surfaces

When To Call For Help:

Leans on furniture, walls or people most of the time for support/balance
Not able to walk on uneven ground without falling
Not walking up or down stairs
Not able to step up and down a pavement curb without hand assistance
Not able to stand with feet flat on the ground and mostly walks on toes
Specialized equipment to walk or use of a wheelchair

Typical Development:

Able to quickly move around peers on the playground
Participates in recreational tasks that require balance such as riding a bike and participating in games/sports

When To Call For Help:

Starts to trip and fall often
Not able to get up off floor easily
Needs specialized equipment to walk or use of a wheelchair

PT Resources for Caregivers

Explore our collection of resources to help support you and your child in your physiotherapy journey.

PT Resources