Every child moves at their own pace. Some are walking at ten months, others take until closer to eighteen, and both can be perfectly normal. But if your little one isn't rolling, sitting, crawling or pulling to stand around the time you expected, it's natural to wonder whether you should keep waiting or say something to someone.
Asking early rarely costs you anything. Often it brings reassurance. And when there is something to work on, you've started sooner rather than later.
The most recent Australian Early Development Census found that 23.5% of children were developmentally vulnerable in at least one domain when they began school in 2024, up from 22.0% in 2021, with 10.0% of children developmentally vulnerable in the physical health and wellbeing domain. Numbers like these are one reason why physiotherapy for early intervention has become a familiar part of family life for many parents across Salisbury and Adelaide's northern suburbs.
How Physiotherapy Supports Gross Motor Skills Development
Paediatric physiotherapy focuses on how a child moves through their day: on the floor, in the backyard, at kindy, on the playground. A physiotherapist assesses posture, strength, balance and coordination, then builds a plan around goals that matter to your family.
- Depending on your child's age and needs, sessions may involve:
- Play-based activities that encourage rolling, sitting, crawling and standing
- Work on walking, balance, stairs, running, jumping and ball skills
- Building muscle strength, coordination and endurance for active play
- Guidance on positioning, footwear and equipment where relevant
- Simple home ideas so practice continues between appointments
A 2022 systematic review of early motor interventions for infants at risk of delay reported that interventions tended to be more effective when the child's delay or risk was well defined, when the protocol was standardised, and when infants were required to make active movements, whilst also noting that more high-quality studies are needed. In plain terms: individual results vary, and a clear plan your child actively participates in tends to be the sensible starting point.
A Team Around Your Child
Physiotherapy is usually one piece of a bigger picture. Depending on what your child needs, an early intervention team might also include occupational therapy, speech pathology, exercise physiology, your GP or child health nurse, and your child's educators.
The NDIS early childhood approach supports children younger than 9 who have developmental delay or disability, and a formal diagnosis isn't required for younger children to start a conversation. Families should also be aware that from 1 January 2028, children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs will begin accessing support through the new Thriving Kids programme, so it's worth checking which pathway currently applies to you.
Not sure where your child fits? Eligible NDIS participants can book a free 30-minute consultation to talk it through, or you can call 1300 090 931 and speak with our team.
Choosing Paediatric Physiotherapy in Salisbury
If you're comparing providers, a few questions are worth asking:
- Do they have experience working with children in this age range?
- Are parents and carers coached to continue the work at home?
- Do therapists communicate with each other and with your child's educators?
- Are goals set around everyday life, not just clinical measures?
- Is the space genuinely child-friendly and accessible?
Give Your Child the Right Support at the Right Time
Healthstin Salisbury provides physiotherapy sessions at the Salisbury Aquatic Centre on Happy Home Drive, which is easy to reach from Paralowie, Mawson Lakes, Brahma Lodge and Gulfview Heights. You can read more about our Salisbury services and how our clinicians work.
Early support isn't about rushing your child. It's about giving them the right practice at the right time with people who understand gross motor skill development in young children.
Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment online or complete our referral form, and our Salisbury team will be in touch.
