PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapy provides intervention to infants and children who have delayed and/or disordered development in the sensorimotor, musculoskeletal and self-care areas.  The role of Physiotherapy input at the Champion Centre is to maximise the child's physical potential and is delivered within a partnership with the primary caregiver. This involves analysis of each infant / child’s motor skills in a hands-on session with the child and primary caregiver, including discussion and explanation of how to enhance the child’s physical development through play and appropriate functional activities. 

​In addition, Physiotherapists at the Champion Centre work in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members acknowledging that all areas of a child’s development (physical, emotional, social and cognitive) are inter-related and stimulated through play.

Senior Physiotherapist, Deborah, talks about how physiotherapy sits within the programme:

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational Therapy provides support and intervention for infants and children who are challenged by differently developing motor and self-care skills, and/or disordered  sensory-regulatory systems.

Occupational Therapists engage with children at the Champion Centre, within their Early Childhood Centres and homes, in partnership with the whanau/primary caregiver and other providers. It is recognised that all areas of a child’s development are inter-related. Developmentally appropriate goals, including equipment based needs, are developed within the partnership between whanau/caregivers and therapists. Occupational Therapists are also engaged in the transition to school process as children move onto the school of choice.

Occupational Therapy for children promotes engagement and participation in children’s daily life roles, to enable children to develop or maintain an appropriate level of self- regulation so that they can engage, interact, play and develop independence in personal care skills such as dressing, eating and toileting.  The intervention/support involves direct child contact, modelling, demonstrating and explaining to whanau/care givers how to enhance their child’s sensory processing, self-regulation and motor planning.

In consultation with whanau, assessment and funding applications are also undertaken for infants and children who require specialised equipment to support participation in daily activities.   In addition, we work in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members, supporting the philosophy that a child’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive development is interrelated and facilitated through play.