Do you need a referral for paediatric physiotherapy?

Paediatric physiotherapy supports movement, strength, balance, coordination, posture, and participation in age-appropriate activities. The therapist considers the child’s development, communication, comfort, interests, and home and school routines. An assessment may involve play-based movement tasks rather than formal exercises, and parents or carers usually help describe concerns and goals.

Ask the clinic whether it accepts direct bookings for children and whether a paediatrician, general practitioner, orthopaedic clinician, or school service should provide the referral. Check whether the child’s health plan has its own rules. Bring relevant reports, medicine details, and examples of movements or activities that are difficult. Tell the therapist about pain, falls, fatigue, or changes in function.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for sudden weakness, a new inability to walk or use a limb, severe pain after injury, a hot swollen joint with fever, or a child who appears seriously unwell. Physiotherapy can follow medical review when an urgent cause needs to be excluded.

Ask what the assessment will involve, how caregivers can support practice at home, what progress will look like, whether school input is useful, and which changes should trigger earlier review.