Maximising Your Child’s Potential in a Physical Therapy Session

As a caregiver of a neurodiverse child, your deepest wish is for them to thrive, become more independent, and mobile. When you walk into the therapy room, you bring hope and the desire for your child to make the most of each session. You want to see them grow stronger – not just physically, but emotionally and socially – and live a fulfilling life. Above all, you want them to experience joy and progress at their own pace.

Physical therapy for children with developmental, congenital, and acquired disorders has undergone a paradigm shift in the last few decades. With a plethora of approaches and resources available, it can be overwhelming and confusing as a parent to choose what is best for your child. To guarantee comprehensive and coordinated care, an interdisciplinary approach is crucial, with special emphasis on collaboration with families, caregivers, educators, and healthcare.

Maximising your child’s potential and creating a conducive environment for their development is our goal. Here are some tips and reminders for parents and caregivers to reap maximum benefits from physical therapy and help pave a promising path in their child’s journey:

Treat the Child as a Whole

Physical and motor performance in children is directly associated with short- and long-term health benefits in physical, emotional, social, and cognitive domains throughout their lifespan. This relationship between movement and general development begins as early as in utero and continues as the infant adapts to the movements of the mother’s handling for nursing, comforting and general care. Helping the therapist match their personality to the child’s can be pivotal in building a connection. Discuss your child’s likes, dislikes, and favourite things and people to help the therapist tailor play skills to their age as well as emotional needs. Let them be sassy, cheeky or curious…just let them be themselves.

Engage the Child Through Play

Play is the work of a child. It is the most natural thing they can do as humans, as essential as breathing. Play leads to emotional maturity. Being playful helps your child intuitively mirror your behaviour and teaches them how to play. Neurodiverse children often have more structured schedules and fewer opportunities to learn through play and creativity. Their motor and sensory difficulties limit their ability to explore their environment with spontaneity. As caregivers, we should create opportunities for different types of play, such as pretend, constructive, rule-based, and competitive play, to help them expand their repertoire of interaction with the world.

Be Your Child’s Cheerleader

Physical therapy can sometimes be a challenge for children, especially if they are experiencing discomfort or don’t fully understand the purpose of the activities and exercises. As a parent, you are your child’s biggest cheerleader and advocate. Approach each session with positivity and encouragement. By being present, you can keep them regulated, motivated, and happy.

Goal Setting and Realistic Expectations

Partnering with the therapist helps to identify your child’s weakness and strengths. Progress in physical therapy happens gradually. Celebrate the small victories—like mastering a new transition or achieving a goal your child didn’t think they could. Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is a success. By setting realistic expectations, you can help reduce the pressure on your child and create a positive, goal-oriented mindset. Get involved in sharing goals during individualised therapy plans with your physical therapist.

Keep Communication Open with Your Therapist

Effective communication between parents and therapists is an essential part of a family-centred approach at High Hopes. Regular check-ins with the therapist enable parents to gain a better understanding of therapeutic strategies and goal setting. Parents are a valuable and first point of contact in observing the child’s progress from day to day. Any change noticed should be shared with the therapist. This helps in planning treatment strategies and modifying the layout of the session to meet the evolving needs of your child.

Consistency is Vital in Motor Learning

While physical therapy sessions are crucial, the real magic happens when the work continues at home. Your child spends 45-60 minutes in a session versus 23 hours in a day at home. Exercises that become a part of your child’s routine – such as lower body dressing, single limb standing while putting on shoes, rolling, or rising to sit after a diaper change or supporting themselves during wheelchair transfers – become automatic once it is practiced daily. Request take-home activities from your therapist to practice and reinforce at home.

Tiny Details Matter

Knowing your child’s interests can help the therapist build a stronger connection with them. Small pieces of information, like sharing your child’s favourite cartoon character, nursery rhyme, or book, can help therapists understand your child better. Dress them up like superheroes to help them feel empowered and special.

Take a Pause

Just as other children need a break from school, neurodiverse children also need a break from therapy. A pause in therapy sessions can help reduce fatigue, enabling children to return to therapy with renewed enthusiasm and energy. During breaks, children consolidate their skills and generalise them into real-life situations. Regular therapy sessions often focus on specific goals, but taking time off allows children to practice and apply these skills in a broader context, enhancing their ability to use newly acquired skills outside the therapy setting.

Revisit Adaptive Equipment and Orthotics

Using orthotics regularly helps keep your child’s joints and muscles flexible, preventing stiffness. Bring the orthotics to every physical therapy session so the therapist can check for redness, sores, or sizing issues – especially if your child has had a growth spurt. If your child is using adaptive equipment such as a wheelchair, standing frame, or a walking aid, bring it periodically into the session for your therapist to address postural readjustments and fitting required.

We are dedicated to supporting you and your child every step of the way in this journey. High Hopes offers a mobile application for parents to stay updated with notes, photos, videos, and reports from therapy sessions. Contact the front desk to download the application and stay connected.
If you have any questions about this blog or your child’s physical therapy, contact us.

Kunali Doshi