Developmental paediatrics (child development) is concerned with the way children mature, from birth until adulthood. 

Physiotherapists are mainly concerned with the development of body postures and large movements (gross motor skills).  However, they need to understand the way children develop all their skills, including hearing, speech, vision, fine movements, social behaviour and play, in order to assess or treat a child with suspected developmental problems.

Health visitors screen children for developmental problems at the 6-8 week, 8 month, 18-24 month, and 3 year checkups. If there are any concerns regarding a child’s development, if there were difficulties at birth or if a baby is premature, they may be referred to a paediatrician (a specialist children’s consultant) at a hospital or child development centre.

If there are concerns regarding a baby’s or toddler’s gross motor development, they will generally be referred for physiotherapy.  Ideally, a child should start physiotherapy as early as possible.  Physiotherapy can help babies develop from a very early age, by placing them in beneficial positions and helping them to move.  Unfortunately, NHS paediatric physiotherapy waiting lists in some regions are very long, and children can wait until they are almost one year old before they can access physiotherapy.  Kids Physio can offer early appointments, to provide advice and / or treatment whilst you wait for your child to be seen by the NHS therapist.