Does My Child Need Physio? Signs of Motor Delay to Watch For
As a parent or carer, you know your child better than anyone else. You watch them grow, wipe away their tears, and celebrate their wins. You know when something isn’t quite right. So if your child does not seem to be keeping up with their peers, it’s natural to ask, “Is this normal?” or “Should I be worried?”
Every child develops at their own pace. If your child is taking a bit longer than others to reach movement milestones, it often just means their development is tracking at one end of the typical spectrum. But in other cases, it can signal a developmental delay – and that’s where early support from a paediatric physiotherapist can make all the difference.
We’ll explain some signs your child may need therapy, how paediatric physiotherapy works, and why early intervention is key to helping children with developmental delay to reach their potential.
If your child is an NDIS participant, or you’re seeking NDIS support, you may be eligible for early intervention physiotherapy services delivered by registered providers like Active Ability. These services can help your child move better, gain independence, and participate more fully in everyday life.
Understanding motor milestones
Motor milestones are the set of physical skills that most children achieve by a certain age. Examples include rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking. As your child gains these abilities, it shows that their muscles, brain, coordination, and body awareness are developing.
These milestones are about more than just movement. They form the foundation for your child’s ability to explore their environment, learn, and engage with the world.
Children develop at different rates, but if your child has delays of several months or more in reaching these milestones, it’s worth getting them assessed. If it turns out there is a developmental issue, catching it early gives your child the best possible start.
| Age | Typical motor milestones |
|---|---|
| 3 months | Lifts head during tummy time, pushes up on forearms |
| 6 months | Rolls over, begins to sit with support |
| 9 months | Sits independently, crawls or scoots |
| 12 months | Pulls to stand, cruises on furniture, takes first steps |
| 12-18 months | Walks on their own, starts climbing |
| 2 years | Runs, kicks a ball, climbs onto furniture without help |
| 3–5 years | Hops, jumps, pedals, walks up stairs confidently |
What is developmental delay?
A developmental delay is when a child takes longer than expected to achieve key skills in one or more areas, such as:
- movement (gross motor)
- language (communication)
- thinking (cognitive)
- emotional
- social interaction.
A slight delay in one area is often nothing to worry about. However, a significant delay, or a group of delays across different areas, is a clear sign to seek a professional opinion.
Motor delays can be caused by medical, genetic or neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or Down syndrome. They can also occur in children with no clear diagnosis.
Developmental delay is more common than you might think. About one in five Australian children is developmentally vulnerable in at least one area when they start schooli.
Some children catch up with their peers as they get older. Others do not.
The good news is that early intervention through physiotherapy can help children move better, avoid secondary problems, and sometimes even catch up with their peers in key areas.
Signs your child may need therapy
In babies (0–12 months)
- Struggles to lift or control their head by 3–4 months
- Doesn’t roll over by 6 months
- Can’t sit without help by 9 months
- Isn’t crawling, scooting, or attempting to stand by 12 months
- Seems stiff or floppy, or does not kick and wriggle their arms and legs
- Always favours one side of their body (e.g. only turns their head to one side or strongly favours one arm or leg)
Early intervention physiotherapy can help children move better and keep up with peers
In toddlers (1–3 years)
- Not walking by 18 months
- Walks awkwardly or only on their toes
- Falls or bumps into things a lot
- Has trouble climbing stairs or playground equipment
- Avoids active play
In preschoolers (3–5 years)
- Difficulty jumping, hopping, or balancing on one foot
- Can’t physically keep up with other children
- Struggles with running, kicking, or throwing
- Appears clumsy or uncoordinated
If your child is showing any of these signs, it’s important to trust your instincts. Rather than waiting to see if things improve, it’s a good idea to seek help as early as possible.
Why early intervention matters
In the first few years of a child’s life, their brains and bodies are rapidly growing. During this time, a child’s brain is very responsive to the environment and the stimulation it receives. This is known as brain plasticity. As a result, these years are a critical time for learning and development.
Early intervention physiotherapy uses this window of time to build strong foundations for future mobility, independence, and participation.
Benefits of early support can include:
- improved posture, balance, and muscle strength
- greater independence with sitting, crawling, and walking
- better participation in play, learning, and social activities
- reduced risk of future joint, bone, or movement issues
- greater confidence for families and carers to support their child.
Early intervention also supports NDIS goals such as improved daily function, community participation, and capacity building.
How can paediatric physiotherapy help my child?
Paediatric physiotherapists are trained to work with children of all ages and abilities. They have a deep understanding of child development and movement, and how they are affected by delay and disability.
A paediatric physiotherapist will focus on supporting your child to develop movement skills using fun, evidence-based and family-centred strategies.
This will involve assessing your child’s motor skills, identifying their strengths and challenges, and working with your child and family to reach their goals.
A physiotherapy plan might include:
- play-based activities to encourage rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking
- strengthening exercises to improve muscle tone and power
- balance and coordination games to improve stability
- gentle stretching to improve range of motion
- guidance and education for parents to continue therapy at home
- recommendations for assistive technologies (e.g. walkers, orthotics)
- progress monitoring and plan updates as needed.
Early intervention physiotherapy aims to help kids achieve motor milestones
What to expect in a physiotherapy assessment
During an initial assessment, your paediatric physiotherapist will:
- review your child’s medical and developmental history
- watch how they move, play, and perform specific tasks (e.g., crawling, walking)
- assess their strength, balance, coordination, and muscle tone
- set achievable goals with you (e.g. sitting independently, taking steps, jumping)
- create a therapy plan and recommend a treatment schedule.
You’ll also get guidance about how to support your child between visits, with home-based activities to build on their progress between therapy sessions.
The NDIS and access to paediatric physiotherapy
Under the NDIS early childhood approach, children can receive funding for therapeutic supports to promote healthy development. You may be able to access this funding if your child is:
- younger than 6 and has developmental delay (they do not need to have a formal diagnosis)
- younger than 9 with disability.
If your child isn’t on the NDIS but you’re concerned about delays, you can contact an early childhood partner in your area. They can help you work out if your child is eligible for the NDIS and help you with the application process.
Find out more about the NDIS early childhood approach.
Supporting kids to achieve their goals
It can be hard to know if your child’s development is on track. But if something doesn’t feel right, it’s best to take action. Early support can make a lifelong difference.
Developmental delay doesn’t mean your child won’t succeed – it just means they might need a bit more support to reach their potential. At Active Ability, our experienced NDIS-registered paediatric physiotherapists are dedicated to helping your child reach their goals.
We focus on working with children with intellectual disability, autism, and neurological conditions. Our therapists will tap into your child’s natural curiosity and strengths to make therapy a positive and enjoyable experience.
We know children with developmental delay often need support in other areas. Our team of occupational therapists, exercise physiologists and paediatric dietitians work together with our physios to help your child thrive in all aspects of their development.
To learn more about how we might be able to support your child and family, contact our helpful team on (02) 9161 5887, [email protected] or via our contact form.
