At your first assessment, our physiotherapists will take time to learn about you and your child to get a better idea of what may be causing a motor milestone delay. We will ask questions about pregnancy, birth, and day-to-day life with your child including sleeping, feeding, and what skills they have and have not acquired.

Our physiotherapists will then perform a physical assessment including but not limited to looking at range of motion, strength, functional movements, sensory integration, and play skills. We will often use specific outcome measures such as the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) for milestones and craniometers to measure head shape if there are concerns of a flat spot (known as plagiocephaly). 

The physiotherapist will then see what movements they can facilitate or help your child achieve with a bit of hands-on cueing and support. These exercises are performed in a play-based setting with toys and specialized paediatric equipment used to facilitate the acquisition of new skills.

Your physiotherapist will always accompany this assessment with education on their findings, recommendations for any equipment deemed appropriate, and an individualized home exercise program including pictures, videos, and detailed instructions through an online application.

Subsequent treatments will involve re-assessments of outcome measures and hands-on therapy to continue to work toward your goals and getting your child back on ‘track’ for optimizing gross motor development.