Pediatric physiotherapie for children aged 4 to 16 yr

Children of school age ( 4 to 16 years old)
A number of disorders and disturbances are known to have adverse effects on the development and well-being of the child at school and on playing sports.

Areas in motor development
At school a teacher might tell you that your child makes clumsy or "stiffly" movements. Disturbances of the motor system are harmful in the psychosocial development. It is pleasing for your child to be able to keep up with his peers in gymnastics and sports.
In kinderfysiotherapie professorenwijk we assess the actual development of the motor system by a number of tests. If necessary we draw up a plan for treatment.

Skills:

By the end of group 2: hopping and frolicking. Catch a (large) ball with two hands
By the end of group 2: cycling without side wheels ; drawing between the lines with pencils.
By the end of group 3: hopping on a hopscotch track; hand writing in joined letters; writing between the lines
By the end of group 3: swimming
By the end of group 4: rope-skipping; writing in a flowing movement
From group 5 onward : further improvement of acquired skills like ball games etc.

Hand writing problems

Problems in hand writing skills (pressing hard or being unable to write between the line or write in a flowing movement) can have many causes. Often there is a combination of different factors.

Swimming problems

Swimming requires very complex motor skills. You may notice that it takes a longer time for your child to pass his swimming exam compared to his peers. Children often find it hard to close their arms or legs simultaneously or to float or have not enough endurance to finish a lane.

Hypermobility
Some children are “too” loose-limbed. For instance , they have their ankle give way and they overstretch their knees. For these children motor skills like hopping are difficult. It takes more effort and therefore, energy. For these children moving is “top sport’. They must be as strong as possible.

Hypotonic/ Hypertonic
In children with hypotonia the muscle tension is too low. Therefore the child finds it very hard to control his movements.
In hypertonic children the muscle tension is too high. These children often walk on tiptoe or press to hard on their pencil. Hypertonia also often occurs in children with neurological disorders.

Pain symptoms
There are different kinds of pains:
• Pains during movements or exercises
• Headache
• Pain after an accident (trauma)
• Growing-pains

At kinderfysiotherapie Professorenwijk we try todetermine the source(s) of the pain. We will try to explain the cause and source of the symptoms and give exercises and training to minimize or stop the pain. If necessary you will be referred to another specialist.

Orthopedic problems
An orthopedic problem, whether congenital or acquired, restricts the child’s motor skills. Physiotherapy teaches the child to cope with his abilities and limitations. In case of harm caused by an accident, progress can be made with the help of exercises and treatment by the pediatric physiotherapist.

Neurologic disorder
Contrary to orthopedic problems, some motor problems have a neurologic origin. Often the nature of the problem is complex. For example: in a learning disorder a part of the disorder is visible and a part is invisible. Nevertheless both aspects deserve attention.

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