All matter of balance and coordination issues can be observed in children with learning disabilities, central nervous system pathology, visual problems, hearing impairment, or developmental coordination disorder. Balance problems can also be secondary to muscle tightness, muscle weakness, limitation in joint range of motion, and poor posture.
The initial assessment will help determine the severity of the problem and how it’s affecting your child in their day-to-day life. An exercise programme consisting of core, balance, strengthening, and motor coordination exercises will be provided. This will focus on improving their functioning in the environment. Depending on the severity of the problem, the programme may start with floor exercises, progressing to exercises in standing and using a gym ball and other equipment to improve higher levels of balance.
The sessions will also include demonstrating how daily activities can be performed more successfully. To measure whether the exercises have made a positive impact in the daily life of your child, we will carry out a repeat assessment. A school visit can be undertaken to discuss your child’s needs with the education staff and to incorporate these exercises into their PE sessions.
Ensure your child engages in as many physical activities as possible. Participation and enjoyment should be the key, not competition. Provide them with plenty of opportunities to practice activities that they find difficult.
The prognosis is dependent on the cause. With physiotherapy, many parents have observed improved self-confidence, an increase in interaction with peers, and improvement in balance and coordination.
Contact us now, in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, to find out how our paediatric physiotherapy assists with balance and coordination problems.