Our Exercise Physiology (EP) program focuses on introducing, encouraging and empowering kids to have fun and develop skills through exercise and participate in an active lifestyle. Using evidence-based practices our EP programs can assist with developing core strength, balance, gross motor skills, postural stability, weight management and sports specific skills.
Individual EP Intervention
Individual intervention may be recommended following your initial assessment. This can take place in the clinic, playground or other settings and your EP will make recommendations for the best setting for your individual child. Individual EP intervention is where our EPs work one on one with your child towards their movement, gross motor, health and sport goals. Goals that we might work on during individual EP intervention include learning to ride a bike or scooter, developing ball skills for different sports such as soccer, footy, netball, developing strength and coordination for playground play. These sessions are play based, fun and engaging for your child while specifically targeted to work towards your child’s movement and gross motor goals.
Group EP Programs
Individual intervention may be recommended following your initial assessment. This can take place in the clinic, playground or other settings and your EP will make recommendations for the best setting for your individual child. Individual EP intervention is where our EPs work one on one with your child towards their movement, gross motor, health and sport goals. Goals that we might work on during individual EP intervention include learning to ride a bike or scooter, developing ball skills for different sports such as soccer, footy, netball, developing strength and coordination for playground play. These sessions are play based, fun and engaging for your child while specifically targeted to work towards your child’s movement and gross motor goals.
Groups and Services that we offer:
Yoga inspired group
Our yoga inspired group focuses on mindfulness and grounding while developing core stability, strength, body awareness, balance and coordination.
Ball Skills
Our balls skills group will help your child develop skills required for a number of different sport and social activities that use a ball. Sessions will focus on developing their ability to throw and catch, kicking, dribbling, passing. Sessions will be tailored to the individual children in the group and their specific ball skills related goals.
Learn to ride
Our learn to ride groups are focused on developing the foundations of these activities including balance, grip strength, core stability and endurance. Your learn to ride goals will be individualised to your child.
Playground Skills
Our playground skills groups are focused on developing confidence with using equipment found at playgrounds. This can help increase your child’s ability to access playgrounds for increased social opportunities at school or public playgrounds. Some common playground skills include being able to do the monkey bars, swing independently and navigate climbing frames. Playground skills are vital for children to engage in play independently or with peers.
FAQ’s about EP
What is the difference between Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology?
Our Occupational Therapists work with children to develop their participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) through the development of sensory regulation and integration skills, gross and fine motor development, ability to joyfully engage, attend to and interact with others and activities, executive functioning skills. Our OTs also work with children with feeding difficulties.
Exercise Physiologists assist with developing gross motor skills, increasing strength, balance and mobility to assist with achieving physical activity goals such as learning to ride a bike, engagement in sporting activities, improved posture and postural control, increased global strength, increased confidence using playground activities. Improvements in gross motor skills, strength, balance and coordination can assist children to access and be involved in a wider range of social opportunities such as playground play, playing sport and extra-curricular activities. Exercise Physiology can also assist with weight management.
How can Exercise Physiology help my child?
- Developing gross motor skills such as jumping, skipping, hopping, walking, running, jumping and kicking
- Improving core stability
- Developing body awareness (proprioception) to assist with motor planning and coordination.
- Strengthening
- Gait/ walking training (for those children who have neuromuscular disorders or diagnosed abnormalities with walking)
- Weight management and encourage a healthy lifestyle
- Encouraging positive mental health through exercise and social participation.
What to expect when engaging in Exercise Physiology?
The first step is to attend an Exercise Physiology assessment. This will include gaining a medical history and functional assessments including range of motion assessments, gait analysis, observations of movement and specific skills-based assessments and strength assessments. During the assessment, we will discuss with you and your child your specific goals and then we will develop targeted exercise interventions to assist in achieving these goals.
During the assessment we will discuss whether individual EP intervention or group based EP intervention will be most suited to your child and their goals.
Process after initial assessment:
- A home exercise program will be written for you to complete at home.
- We will have discussed in the initial assessment whether individual EP or group EP is best suited to your child and their goals. We will book you in accordingly and then you will commence your EP intervention program.
- For 1:1 intervention a review of your home program will occur after 5 sessions and new exercises will be provided if needed.
How can I be referred for EP?
- You can self-refer by contacting our office on 02 62547801 or email admin@kidsspaceot.com.au.
- If you are a current client of Kids’ Space OT, you can speak to your OT about whether EP would be beneficial for your child and their goals.
- We also accept referrals from GPs.
Looking for more information?
Contact us to book an appointment or discuss how we can help
Groups & Workshops
Group therapy is a wonderful way for children to work on a range of important skills in a really fun environment. We run different groups to address a variety of areas and we find that many children make amazing progress through group intervention and build beautiful friendships.