Pediatric Physiotherapy in Blainville
At Rehab Performance, we support babies, infants, children and young athletes through motor development, mobility and activities with an approach adapted to their age and needs.
Physiotherapy for babies
Pediatric physiotherapy can be appropriate from the first weeks of life when a parent notices a preference for turning the head to one side, flattening of the skull (flat head) or postural asymmetry.
During the assessment, the physiotherapist observes the baby’s mobility, posture and spontaneous movements. Simple exercises, positioning advice and daily-life adaptations may then be recommended to support development.
Torticollis
Your baby mainly turns their head to the same side, seems less comfortable in one direction or frequently keeps the head tilted.
Plagiocephaly
Flattening at the back or on one side of the skull may be associated with the baby’s positioning and mobility.
Motor development in babies and children
Every child develops at their own pace. When certain milestones seem more difficult, a pediatric physiotherapy assessment can help better understand their movement and abilities.
Adapted activities can then support mobility, coordination, balance and independence so the child can progress according to their current abilities and needs.
Physiotherapy for young athletes
In children and adolescent athletes, pain and injuries should be assessed while considering movement, growth and the specific demands of their sport.
An assessment can also identify deficits in strength, mobility or coordination. Exercises and progression can then be adapted to support a gradual return to sports activities.
Why choose a physiotherapist with pediatric expertise?
Babies and children have different needs from adults. A physiotherapist with pediatric expertise adapts assessment, exercises and interventions to each child’s age, development and abilities.
Parents are also involved so they can better understand what to observe and integrate simple strategies into daily life.
An assessment adapted to the child
Posture, mobility, strength and movement are assessed in the context of the child’s age and developmental stage.
Play integrated into treatment
Exercises can be incorporated into play and adapted activities to support participation, movement and learning.
Parents involved
Parents receive practical guidance on what to observe and how to integrate strategies into the child’s daily activities.
Developmental expertise
The assessment considers the child’s motor development to better understand observed difficulties and adapt interventions.
Integrative pediatric manual therapy
Training in integrative pediatric manual therapy allows manual techniques to be incorporated into assessment and treatment when relevant to the child’s needs.
Audrey Raymond-Flamand
A 2022 Université de Montréal graduate, Audrey has developed particular expertise in pediatric physiotherapy to support babies, children and their families.
Her training in integrative pediatric manual therapy (TMPI) also allows her to incorporate different approaches into assessment when relevant.
Her approach combines observation of motor development, age-appropriate exercises, parent guidance and individualized follow-up based on the child’s needs.
When should you consult for pediatric physiotherapy?
Certain signs may justify an assessment to better understand your child’s development, movement or symptoms.
Signs noticed by parents
Head frequently turned or tilted to the same side
Flattening at the back or one side of the skull
Delay or difficulty with certain motor-development milestones
Difficulty tolerating certain positions or movement asymmetry
Significant irritability in several situations
Breastfeeding difficulty, noises during feeds or a strong preference for one breast
Noisy breathing, breathing difficulty or frequent mouth breathing
Movement, pain and coordination
Toe walking
Feet turning inward while walking
Frequent falls or coordination difficulties
Balance difficulties or difficulty with certain physical activities
Growth-related or recurring pain
New pain
Recurring headaches
An assessment may also be relevant
Baby born prematurely or with a medical diagnosis
After surgery, hospitalization or immobilization
After certain medical episodes, such as bronchiolitis
Genetic syndrome, trisomy or neurological condition
Starting daycare or school when there is a motor concern
Child participating in sport three or more times per week
Very flexible child or child with high joint mobility
How do I know if my child should be assessed?
Certain signs may indicate that a pediatric physiotherapy assessment would be beneficial.
Signs noticed by the parent
- Retard de l'acquisition des habiletés motrices (ex. : ne tient pas sa tête droite à 3 mois, ne se retourne pas à 5 mois, ne tient pas assis à 6 mois, ne marche pas à 14 mois)
- L'arrière ou le côté de la tête s'aplatit
- La tête est toujours tournée du même côté
- Marche les pieds vers l'intérieur ou sur la pointe des pieds
- Tombe souvent / est très maladroit
- Très irritable dans plusieurs contextes
- Allaitement douloureux ou difficile, bruit pendant les boires, préférence pour un sein, gaz importants
- Difficulté ou bruit respiratoire, respiration par la bouche
What the child may mention
- Des douleurs de croissance
- Des douleurs récurrentes ou nouvelles
- Mal à la tête
Preventive assessment may be recommended if:
- Bébé prématuré ou avec diagnostic médical
- Bébé ayant subi une chirurgie ou une hospitalisation
- Bébé ayant eu une bronchiolite
- Bébé avec syndrome génétique, trisomie ou trouble neurologique
- Entrée à la garderie ou à l'école
- Enfant pratiquant un sport 3x et plus par semaine
- Enfant très souple
Supporting development, one step at a time
From babies to young athletes, our approach aims to understand your child’s needs and help them move, progress and fully participate in their activities.
Book an appointment→FAQ — Pediatric Physiotherapy
Have questions before booking? Here are answers to common questions about pediatric physiotherapy at Rehab Performance.
An assessment can be performed from the first weeks of life. For example, a parent may consult when noticing a positional preference, asymmetry or mobility difficulty.
Pediatric physiotherapy can then support a child at different stages of motor development, from infancy through adolescence.
Interventions are adapted to each child’s age, reactions and tolerance.
Exercises can also be incorporated into play and activities to support participation, movement and comfort during the session.
A physiotherapy consultation can generally be booked directly without a prior medical referral.
If your child’s situation requires further investigation, the physiotherapist may recommend assessment by a physician or another healthcare professional.
The number of sessions varies based on the child’s age, reason for consultation, progress and goals established during the assessment.
The follow-up plan is individualized, and its frequency and duration can be adjusted progressively according to the child’s needs.
A strong preference for looking in the same direction, persistent head tilt or difficulty turning the head both ways may justify an assessment.
A positional asymmetry or flattening of the skull may also be observed. The assessment helps clarify the baby’s mobility and preferences.
Yes. Pediatric physiotherapy is not only for children who have pain.
A consultation may be relevant when a parent has concerns about motor development, gait, balance, coordination or certain movements.
Book a pediatric physiotherapy appointment in Blainville
Questions about your baby’s motor development, torticollis, plagiocephaly, walking difficulty, pain or an injury in your child? Our team can provide an assessment adapted to their age and needs.
Clinicians for this service
Audrey Raymond-Flamand — pediatric physiotherapy, babies and young athletes