Physiotherapy assessment and treatment of your child can be provided in your child’s school by Manchester Neuro Physio. This can be for treatment that is ongoing or as part of a one-off assessment and advice session. The provision of these services applies to any type of school, including those for children with special educational or physical needs, as well as independent, mainstream or nursery.
Our paediatric physiotherapy is often used by children not receiving physiotherapy through the NHS and parents of those children wishing to complement NHS physiotherapy. By observing your child in school this enables the specialist paediatric physiotherapists to teach classroom staff about your child’s condition, what they can do to help out, as well as therapeutic handling and exercise programmes for your child. The classroom team can then continue with these programmes between physiotherapy sessions to make the most of your child’s potential.
Observing your child during school allows the physiotherapist to see the problems your child is experiencing every day. In doing this the physiotherapist can provide guidance with regards to aids and/or adaptations to allow your child to regain or maintain as much independence as possible and improve your child’s quality of life.
The paediatric physiotherapists from Manchester Neuro Physio always engage and teach all classroom staff throughout school visits in order to aid your child reach her/his potential. The nature and severity of your child’s condition will largely dictate the kind of assessment and treatment that follows.
During the physiotherapy assessment our physiotherapists may assess:
- Joint range
- Mobility
- Muscle strength and tone
- Balance
- Independence
- Function
- Co-ordination
- Change of position
- Other assessments will be carried out if required, such as:
- Orthoses assessments
- Static seating / pressure assessment
- Mobility equipment assessments (walkers, sticks etc.)
- Wheelchair assessments
If long-term physiotherapy is deemed necessary in a school setting, the parents, pupil, staff and physiotherapists will agree between them the level of physiotherapy following the assessment. A programme of physiotherapy specifically designed for your child will subsequently be written up. The programme will be implemented daily by classroom staff taught by the physiotherapist. Regular review sessions will allow for your physiotherapist to modify and develop the programme as and when is required to suit future goals.
- Suitable classroom furniture and technical equipment
- Eating – cutlery and posture
- Functional transfers
- Posture
- Functional skills e.g. feeding, dressing
- Car seat needs
- Perception and memory
- Access to communication and skills
- Standing frames
- Hand function/fine motor skills
- Equipment at home to assist with function at home e.g. eating, toileting, bathing and seating
- Sensory and perception skills
- Independence skills
If your child requires equipment for their physical and / or educational needs, our physiotherapists are experienced in assessing children for the most suitable equipment, as well as being able to offer advice on the most suitable level of physiotherapy input for your child. Also, following the assessment of your child our physiotherapists can write a report which can be used to gain financial backing from the local council or school for greater physiotherapy input and / or equipment.
To book a school visit for your child please call 0161 883 0066 or arrange a .
