Every child’s developmental journey is unique. We provide expert, evidence-based assessment and targeted therapy for neurological conditions, supporting your child’s physical potential and your family at every step.
An “umbrella term” describing an event that has taken place in your child’s brain either, whilst they were still in the womb, during birth or in the early part of their life.
While the initial brain injury does not change, it alters how posture and movement control develop. Specialist physiotherapy harnesses neuroplasticity, helping the brain find positive alternative pathways before secondary habits become fixed.
Depending on the area of the brain affected, CP can cause changes to muscle tone, learning difficulties (cognitive development), visual , auditory and cognitive difficulties.
It can also affect your child’s emotional state, social development and/or sensory motor experience. The brain will find the easiest route to achieve its goal. Although a benefit in the short term, this can hinder long term progress - reducing physical quality and control over time.
Treating the brain, and not just the secondary complications is essential. The correct intervention will allow your child to gather the building blocks that they need to achieve posture and movement control, and to optimise their physical development.
The developing brain possesses extraordinary adaptability. Starting specialist intervention early allows us to shape these neurological pathways, maximizing your child's physical progression, variety of movement, and long-term independence.
Research has shown that the early years of a child’s life are critical in both motor and cognitive development.
This is the most rapid period of growth and development for the human brain. The brain forms neural connections at its fastest rate.Â
Every time a baby practices a movement, these connections get stronger. Southern Children’s Physiotherapy will be able to help ensure that these movement patterns are typical for a developing baby, and that the movements they practice are positively reinforcing posture and motion.
This is particularly important for high risk infants. Specialist physiotherapy intervention can show you the correct techniques, positions and movements to practise with your baby.
This ensures that each little bit of input they receive helps to build the correct pathways for the acquisition of gross motor skills. This helps to reduce gross motor delay, and aims to minimise long term issues.
This occurs when a baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen and blood flow around the time of birth, which can cause damage to the brain cells.
Leaving the hospital with a baby diagnosed with HIE can be a time of significant anxiety for parents. While it may feel like your only option is to “watch and wait,” you don’t have to navigate this period alone. Southern Children’s Physiotherapy can provide specialist assessment and neurodevelopmental guidance to aid your baby’s motor development.
With a specialised background in paediatric neurology, Charlotte assesses your baby’s posture, movement patterns, and muscle tone to create individualised advice and treatment. Neuroplasticity through early intervention and specialist physiotherapy can actively optimise your baby’s physical development.
Southern Children’s Physiotherapy will support you through this critical time, helping you monitor your baby’s development and offering early developmental advice. With expert movement, analytical skills and strong links with the local therapy and medical teams, Southern Children’s Physiotherapy offers expert advice and guidance every step of the way.
Disorders affecting the peripheral nerves, muscles, or the communication between them.
These conditions, including Muscular Dystrophies and Spinal Muscular Atrophy(SMA) cause progressive muscle weakness and fatigue. Specialist physiotherapy helps maintain physical function, supports mobility, and proactively improves a child's quality of life.
Symptoms stem from issues with muscle fibres, peripheral nerves, or the neuromuscular junction. Children experience progressive or fluctuating muscle weakness, muscle atrophy (wasting), fatigue and reduced endurance, difficulties with movement, balance and coordination, and sensory changes
Medical management is constantly evolving. Backed by 20 years of experience, Charlotte updates her practice to reflect the latest evidence. She works closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to deliver up-to-date, individualised care.
A naturally occurring genetic difference impacting physical development.
Children with downs syndrome often experience low muscle tone and joint laxity, making it harder to control positions up against gravity, such as sitting and standing. Target exercises build core muscle activity, aid with postural and movement control, and assist in the acquisition of gross motor skills and milestones.
There are three genetic types: Trisomy 21 (where every cell has an extra chromosome 21), Translocation (where the extra chromosome attaches to another), and Mosaicism (where only some cells carry the extra chromosome).
Focusing on your child’s physical presentation is essential, as it is these physical components that contribute to how your child learns to move. Providing specialist treatment interventions ensure that the correct physical advice is given to help your child thrive.Â
Tailored neurodevelopmental support for babies born before 37 weeks.
Premature babies face a higher risk of neurodevelopmental delays. Specialist physiotherapy provides early intervention, using movement analysis and neurological assessments to provide your baby with individualised assessment advice and treatment.
Charlotte set up the neonatal physiotherapy service at Poole Hospital in 2010, working as a specialised physiotherapist within this service until 2025.Â
She supported hundreds of families during this time.Â
Her extensive training in infant movement and development ensures that your baby receives a highly specialised, individualised treatment approach.
As part of the hospital’s consultant-led diagnostic team for high-risk infants, Charlotte brings in depth clinical expertise to your home, helping you navigate life after the neonatal unit with confidence and expert physical guidance.
Complex neurological symptoms presenting together, following surgery to the cerebellum or brainstem.
PFS can cause ataxia (reduced coordination of movement). It can affect muscle tone, balance, speech and emotions. Focused neurological physiotherapy is vital for rehabilitation to optimise the outcome.
PFS is more common after operations to remove a type of brain tumour called medulloblastoma.Â
Larger tumours that involve the brain stem and are located in the cerebellar midline are also associated with PFS.Â
The cerebellum controls balance, coordination and speech, and has a role in cognition, emotions and behaviour. The brainstem coordinates motor and sensory signals between the brain and body, as well as vital involuntary functions such as breathing and heart rate. Â
Specialist analysis of your child’s physical presentation is essential to be able to provide the correct physiotherapy intervention. Refinement of postural control, balance reactions and movement execution will provide positive feedback to the brain - positively impacting on balance and movement control.
Symptoms and recovery timelines vary significantly between children. Choosing a specialist neurological physiotherapist ensures your child’s therapy is precisely targeted to their unique presentation, optimizing their long-term physical outcome.
Contact us via WhatsApp, phone, or email to discuss your child’s needs.
We will talk in detail about your child’s history, needs, and your instincts.
An initial visit to meet your child, build trust, and observe movement.
We create a personalised plan with clear goals tailored to your child.
"We would recommend Charlotte in a heartbeat. She is approachable, proactive and E loves her therapy sessions. In a SEND journey where most things feel a battle, it is a joy to have her supporting us. We know E is going to thrive in her care."
See the areas we cover below. We can go further afield for expert witness and SEND tribunal cases.
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