Expert support for children's physical development milestones

Are you concerned about your child's physical development? Does your child find it challenging to complete physical tasks? At Kids' Therapy Works, we understand parents' concerns about developmental milestones and provide comprehensive support to help children achieve their physical potential through expert physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech & language therapy.

How we can help progress your child's development

We can help to progress your child's:

• Rolling

• Sitting

• Crawling

• Standing

• Walking

Our experienced paediatric therapists work with children of all ages and abilities, providing individualised programmes that make therapy fun and engaging whilst supporting natural developmental progression.

Our development delay services

Free drop-in sessions

Allows your child to practice physical skills under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Allows parents/carers to ask questions about their child's development.

There are no fees for drop-in sessions which take place 10:30 - midday on Monday 9th June, and from July on the first Monday of the month, at our Copford clinic.

A free 20-minute assessment is required in order to attend drop-in sessions.

Please contact us to arrange an assessment at one of our clinics.

Baby and toddler MOT

One-to-one sessions with a physiotherapist assessing your child's physical skills. Provides a bespoke exercise programme and development advice.

The cost is £125 for a 1.5h session.

Call us on 01206 212 849 to make an appointment.

Group courses

Physiotherapist-led six-week course designed to help your child move on to the next milestone e.g. sitting > crawling > standing.

Development Delay sessions are held at Lakelands, Stanway and our clinic in Copford.

What is development delay?

Development delay is the term given to a child who does not meet key developmental milestones and falls behind the expected progression in areas of development compared to other children. Milestones can be physical, such as crawling and walking, or social, such as talking.

It is important to remember that there is a normal age range for reaching each developmental milestone. For example, one child may be able to walk at 11 months whilst another child may walk at 16 months. Both of these are within the normal milestone limits.

Signs that your child may not be meeting physical milestones

Unable to bring their hands together at 4 monthsUnable to roll over at 6 monthsUnable to control his/her head when pulled to a sitting position at 6 monthsUnable to sit independently (without support) at 8 monthsUnable to crawl at 12 monthsUnable to walk at 18 months

Understanding developmental milestones

Early milestones (0-6 months)

Head control - lifting and holding head steady when lying on tummy
Visual tracking - following objects with eyes
Reaching and grasping - beginning to reach for and grab objects
Rolling - rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy

Mobile milestones (6-18 months)

Sitting - sitting without support and playing with toys
Crawling - moving forward on hands and knees or bottom shuffling
Pulling to stand - using furniture to pull themselves upright
Walking - taking independent steps and developing confidence

Advanced milestones (18+ months)

Running and jumping - developing more complex movement patterns
Climbing - navigating stairs and playground equipment
Fine motor skills - using utensils, drawing, and manipulating small objects

Types of development delay we support

Global developmental delay

When children experience delays across multiple areas including physical, cognitive, communication, and social development. Our multi-disciplinary team provides comprehensive assessment and coordinated treatment.

Motor delay

Specific delays in gross motor skills (large movements like walking) or fine motor skills (small movements like grasping). Our physiotherapists and occupational therapists work together to address motor challenges.

Communication delays

Delays in speech and language development that may accompany physical delays. Our speech and language therapist provides specialist support for communication development.

Sensory processing delays

Difficulties processing sensory information that can impact movement and development. Our occupational therapist specialises in sensory integration approaches.

Development delay physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can help children with development delay to achieve physical milestones.

Treatment for developmental delay is dependent on age and ability and, therefore, greatly varies between individuals. The treatment provided by our specialist paediatric therapists will generally be in the form of fun activities and games to stimulate your child into performing normal patterns of movement. Your therapist will also give you advice on positioning, and be able to teach parents and carers activities to help your child reach developmental milestones and promote your child's future independence.

Our comprehensive approach to development delay

Detailed assessment

Thorough evaluation of your child's current abilities, identifying strengths and areas needing support across all developmental domains.

Individualised treatment plans

Customised programmes designed specifically for your child's needs, abilities, and family circumstances.

Family-centred care

Parents and carers are integral partners in therapy, receiving training and support to continue development activities at home.

Multi-disciplinary support

Coordination between physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy when children have complex needs across multiple areas.

Benefits of early intervention

Maximising potential

Early support helps children make the most of their natural development window when the brain is most adaptable to learning new skills.

Building confidence

Success in achieving milestones builds children's confidence to attempt new challenges and continue progressing.

Family support

Parents gain confidence and skills in supporting their child's development through expert guidance and practical strategies.

Preventing secondary issues

Early intervention can help prevent compensatory movement patterns or secondary difficulties that may develop over time.

What to expect from development delay therapy

Initial assessment

Comprehensive evaluation of your child's current developmental status across multiple areas, identifying specific needs and setting appropriate goals.

Regular therapy sessions

Structured sessions using play-based activities, therapeutic exercises, and functional training appropriate for your child's age and abilities.

Home programme development

Practical activities and exercises for families to continue developmental support between therapy sessions.

Progress monitoring

Regular reviews to track advancement towards milestones and adjust treatment plans as children develop and grow.

When to seek help for development delay

Trust your instincts

If you're concerned about your child's development, seeking professional assessment provides peace of mind and, if needed, early intervention.

Regular milestone checks

Health visitors and GPs monitor development, but additional specialist input can provide more detailed assessment and targeted support.

Comparison with peers

If your child seems significantly behind peers in movement, communication, or other skills, professional evaluation can identify specific support needs.

School readiness

Ensuring children have foundational skills before starting nursery or school supports successful educational experiences.

Getting started with development delay support

Our development delay services are available at both our Copford (Colchester) and Stanway locations, making support accessible across Essex. We offer various options from free drop-in sessions to comprehensive individual programmes.

Contact our experienced team to discuss your concerns and explore the most appropriate support options for your child's developmental needs.

Common questions about development delay

What if my child is just a late developer?

Some children naturally develop at different rates, but professional assessment can distinguish between normal variation and delays requiring support.

Will early intervention make a difference?

Research consistently shows that early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes for children with developmental delays.

Concerned about your child's development?

Contact Kids' Therapy Works on 01206 212 849 to discuss your child's developmental progress. Our experienced team provides comprehensive assessment and support to help every child reach their potential through expert, family-centred care.