Conditions we work with
A short guide to the diagnoses and difficulties families most often come with: what they are, what to look for, and how exactly we help. It does not replace a doctor's consultation, but it will help you find your bearings.
Cerebral palsy
Age: from 3 months
A group of conditions caused by injury to the developing brain that affects movement, posture and muscle tone. Severity varies widely, from mild clumsiness of one hand to full dependence on care. Motor ability is described with the GMFCS (gross motor) and MACS (hand function) scales.
What to look for
- Asymmetric movement or a strong hand preference before age 1
- Delayed head control, rolling, sitting or walking
- Muscles that feel unusually stiff or unusually floppy
- Toe-walking or scissoring of the legs
What we do
A physical and rehabilitation medicine doctor assesses the child, sets goals with the parents, and the team works towards them: physical and Bobath therapy for posture and movement control, occupational therapy for self-care, hand therapy for hemiparesis, speech therapy for speech and swallowing. We teach the family positioning and how to carry skills into daily life, and fit orthoses and assistive devices.
Psychomotor developmental delay
Age: from 3 months
The child reaches motor and cognitive milestones later than peers: head control, sitting, crawling, walking, handling objects. The cause may be neurological, orthopaedic or remain unexplained. The earlier support starts, the more the developing brain can use it.
What to look for
- Not rolling or holding the head steadily at 6 months
- Not sitting independently at 10–12 months
- Not walking at 18 months
- Not reaching for toys or passing objects between hands
What we do
We assess the developmental level with standardised scales, show parents how play and everyday care can prompt the needed movements, and run physical or occupational therapy with clear short-term goals.
Consequences of prematurity and perinatal CNS injury
Age: from 3 months
Children born early or with birth complications more often have altered muscle tone, delayed motor development and heightened sensitivity to sensory input. Many of these resolve with early support, which makes the first year especially important.
What to look for
- Marked postural asymmetry or a persistent head tilt
- Jumpy, stiff or floppy tone
- Lasting intolerance of touch, sounds or changes of position
What we do
We track progress against corrected age, teach parents carrying, positioning and feeding, and work on tone and symmetry through play. Sensory integration is added when needed.
Hemiparesis and hand-function disorders
Age: from 2 years
Weakness or restricted movement on one side of the body, usually most visible in the arm: the child ignores it, does not use it in play, keeps the fist clenched. Without targeted work, compensations form that are hard to change later.
What to look for
- One hand persistently fisted after 4 months
- Reaching for toys with one hand only
- Asymmetry when crawling or walking
What we do
We assess hand function with the MACS scale and standardised tests, run hand therapy, CIMT (constraining the stronger hand) and bimanual sessions, and fit orthoses. The goal is that the child uses both hands in daily life on their own.
Sensory processing disorders, ASD, ADHD
Age: from 2 years
The child's brain processes sensations from the body and surroundings differently: some input is unbearable, other input is sought excessively. It shows as restlessness, 'bad behaviour', trouble with attention, clothing, food or hygiene. Sensory integration difficulties often accompany autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and cerebral palsy.
What to look for
- Cannot tolerate labels, seams or certain fabrics, or seems not to notice pain
- Covers ears, is frightened by household sounds
- Constantly moving, seeking strong sensations, cannot sit still
- Food refusal driven by texture
What we do
An occupational therapist certified in sensory integration assesses the child and runs sessions in an equipped sensory gym, where movement and play teach the brain to organise sensations. Where indicated we add Tomatis neuro-auditory stimulation and a psychologist's work on emotional regulation.
Speech delay, dysarthria, dysphagia
Age: from 18 months
Speech may fail to emerge, be slurred because of weak or spastic muscles (dysarthria), or come with difficulty chewing and swallowing (dysphagia). In children with neurological conditions these often go together, and the starting point is breathing, posture and feeding rather than 'fixing sounds'.
What to look for
- No single words at 18 months, no two-word phrases at 2 years
- Speech understood only by parents
- Choking, prolonged chewing, refusal of solid food
- Drooling after age 2
What we do
A speech therapist and a speech-language therapist assess comprehension, communication, articulation and swallowing, and work with oral-motor massage, breathing and articulation exercises and play-based methods to launch speech. Together with the occupational therapist we choose seating and utensils for safe feeding.
Orthopaedic and postural disorders
Age: ages 0–18
Scoliosis, poor posture, foot deformities, recovery after surgery or injury. In children with neurological conditions these are often secondary: uneven tone reshapes joints and spine over the years, so postural management matters before deformities appear.
What to look for
- Uneven shoulders, shoulder blades or pelvis
- Persistent toe-walking or walking on the inner edge of the foot
- Tiredness or back pain after sitting
What we do
A physical therapist assesses posture, range of motion and strength, builds an exercise programme, teaches the family correct positioning by day and night, and fits orthoses and assistive devices together with the doctor.
Programmes
Genetic syndromes and muscle hypotonia
Age: from 3 months
Down syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, myopathies and other conditions where muscles are weak and floppy and motor and speech skills take more time and support to develop. Rehabilitation does not change the diagnosis, but it substantially changes the child's independence.
What to look for
- The child 'slips through' your hands, struggles to hold a position
- Late sitting, standing, walking
- Tires quickly during play
What we do
We work on strength, trunk stability and balance, teach self-care skills, and support speech and communication. A psychologist accompanies the family and helps with emotional and behavioural adaptation.
Didn't find your diagnosis?
Call us. A short conversation with the administrator usually tells you whether we can help.