Getting started with therapy

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

If you have concerns about your child's development, movement, communication, or daily living skills, therapy might be helpful. You might notice your child is slower to reach milestones, has difficulty with activities their peers manage easily, or struggles with coordination, speech, or social interactions. Trust your instincts - if you're concerned, it's worth having an assessment.

You don't need a referral to contact us directly. Our experienced therapists can discuss your concerns and help you understand whether therapy might benefit your child.

What's the difference between physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy?

Physiotherapy focuses on movement, strength, balance, and physical development. Our physiotherapists help children with walking, coordination, muscle strength, and conditions affecting their physical abilities.

Occupational therapy concentrates on helping children develop the skills they need for daily life, including fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care tasks, and school-based activities like handwriting.

Speech and language therapy supports communication development, including speech sounds, language understanding and expression, social communication, and alternative communication methods when needed.

Many children benefit from a combination of therapies, and our team works together to provide coordinated care.

How do I get started?

Simply call us on 01206 212 849 to discuss your child's needs. We'll arrange an initial assessment where our therapist will evaluate your child and discuss how we might be able to help. There's no obligation, and we're happy to answer your questions.

Do I need a referral from my GP or consultant?

No, you don't need a referral to access our services. You can contact us directly to arrange an assessment. However, if you have a referral or reports from other healthcare professionals, these can be helpful in understanding your child's needs.

Assessment and treatment planning

What happens during the initial assessment?

Our comprehensive assessment typically lasts 60-90 minutes and includes:

• Discussion about your concerns and your child's medical history

• Observation of your child's abilities and challenges

• Standardised assessments appropriate to your child's age and needs

• Discussion of your family's priorities and goals

• Development of a treatment plan tailored to your child

We make assessments as fun and engaging as possible for children, often using play-based activities they'll enjoy.

How quickly can my child be seen?

We aim to offer initial assessments within 2-3 weeks of your call, often sooner. For urgent cases, we can usually arrange appointments more quickly. We understand that when you're concerned about your child, waiting can feel difficult.

How often will my child need therapy sessions?

This varies depending on your child's needs, goals, and the type of therapy. Some children benefit from weekly sessions, others from fortnightly or monthly appointments. We might recommend intensive blocks for specific treatments like CIMT, or less frequent sessions for maintenance and monitoring.

We'll discuss the recommended frequency during your assessment and regularly review this as your child progresses.

How long will my child need therapy?

The length of therapy varies greatly depending on your child's condition, goals, and response to treatment. Some children need short-term support for specific issues, whilst others benefit from ongoing therapy to support their development. We regularly review progress and adjust treatment plans, always working towards your child achieving maximum independence.

Practical information

Where do therapy sessions take place?

We offer flexible options to suit your family:

Our clinics - We have three locations: Copford (main clinic), Stanway (Lakelands), and Brentwood (REACH partnership)

Your home - We provide home visits across our service area when this is more appropriate for your child or family circumstances

School - We can work directly in your child's school environment when beneficial

Online - For some types of therapy and follow-up sessions, we offer video consultations

What should my child wear to therapy sessions?

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that allow easy movement are best. For physiotherapy, shorts or leggings and a t-shirt work well. Avoid clothes with belts, buttons, or zips that might be uncomfortable when moving. We'll let you know if there are any specific requirements for your child's therapy.

Can I stay with my child during sessions?

Absolutely! We encourage parents and carers to be involved in their child's therapy. You're welcome to observe sessions, and we often ask you to participate so you can learn techniques to support your child at home. For some children, having a parent present helps them feel more comfortable and engaged.

What should I bring to appointments?

For the first appointment, please bring:

• Any medical reports or previous therapy notes

• A list of your child's current medications (if any)

• Your child's favourite toy or comfort item

• Any questions you'd like to ask

For ongoing sessions, just bring your child ready for their therapy activities.

Working with families

How can I support my child's progress at home?

We'll provide you with specific strategies and exercises tailored to your child's needs. These might include simple games, daily routine adjustments, or specific exercises. We'll show you exactly what to do and provide written instructions when helpful.

Remember, you don't need to be a therapist - we'll teach you techniques that fit naturally into your family life.

Do you work with schools?

Yes, we work closely with schools when parents consent. This might involve:

• Sharing reports and recommendations with teachers

• Providing training for school staff

• Attending review meetings

• Working directly in the school environment when appropriate

• Advising on equipment or environmental modifications

What if my child doesn't want to do therapy?

This is completely normal! Our therapists are experts at making therapy fun and engaging. We use play-based approaches, incorporate your child's interests, and build rapport gradually. If a child is resistant, we'll work with you to understand why and adapt our approach.

Most children quickly start to enjoy their sessions once they realise therapy can be fun and helps them achieve things they want to do.

Conditions and treatments

Do you work with children with autism?

Yes, we have extensive experience working with children on the autism spectrum. Our approach is individualised and sensory-aware. We work on areas such as:

• Sensory processing and regulation

• Motor skills and coordination

• Communication and social interaction

• Daily living skills

• Reducing anxiety around physical activities

We adapt our approach to each child's specific needs, interests, and sensory preferences.

My child has multiple needs - can you help with everything?

We take a holistic approach to children with complex needs. Our team includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists who work together to address all aspects of your child's development. We coordinate with other professionals involved in your child's care to ensure a joined-up approach.

Do you provide equipment or just therapy?

We provide therapy services and can recommend appropriate equipment when beneficial. We can advise on funding sources for equipment and work with suppliers to ensure you get the right products for your child's needs. Some basic therapy equipment might be provided as part of treatment programmes.

What age children do you work with?

We work with children and young people from birth to 18 years old. Our approach is adapted for each developmental stage, from early intervention with babies to supporting teenagers with independence skills.

Practical arrangements

How much do sessions cost?

Our fees vary depending on the type and length of session. We're transparent about all costs and will discuss fees during your initial contact. We work with many insurance providers and can provide information about potential funding sources, including charitable funding that might be available.

Do you accept insurance?

We work with most major private healthcare insurers. We can help you understand your policy coverage and provide the necessary documentation for claims. Please bring your insurance details to your first appointment.

What about parking and accessibility?

All our clinic locations have free parking and are accessible for wheelchairs and mobility equipment.

Can I cancel or change appointments?

We understand that family life can be unpredictable, especially when children are unwell. We ask for 48 hours' notice for cancellations when possible, but we're always flexible and understanding about genuine emergencies or illness.

What happens if my child is unwell?

Please don't bring your child to therapy if they're unwell with infectious conditions like colds, flu, or stomach bugs. We're happy to reschedule appointments, and there's no charge for cancellations made more than 48 hours prior to the appointment time. For minor issues like a runny nose, please call to discuss - we can often still see your child safely.

Your therapy team

What qualifications do your therapists have?

All our therapists are fully qualified and registered with their professional bodies:

• Physiotherapists - Registered with HCPC, members of CSP and APCP

• Occupational Therapists - Registered with HCPC, members of RCOT

• Speech and Language therapists - Registered with HCPC, members of RCSLT

They engage in regular professional development to ensure they provide the most current, evidence-based care.

Will my child see the same therapist each time?

We aim for consistency and usually arrange for your child to see the same therapist for ongoing sessions. This helps build rapport and ensures continuity of care. Occasionally, for further assessment or for holiday or sickness cover, your child might see a different team member.

How experienced are your therapists with my child's condition?

Our team has extensive experience across all the conditions we treat. During your initial assessment, we'll match your child with the therapist who has the most relevant experience for their specific needs. We're always honest about our expertise and will refer onwards if we feel another service would be more appropriate.

Special programmes and treatments

What is CIMT and who is it suitable for?

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is an intensive treatment for children with hemiplegia (weakness affecting one side of the body). It involves constraining the stronger hand to encourage use of the affected hand through intensive practice.

CIMT is suitable for children who have some voluntary movement in their affected hand and can engage in structured activities. We offer both traditional intensive programmes and modified versions to suit different children and family circumstances.

Do you offer intensive therapy blocks?

Yes, we provide intensive therapy programmes that can be particularly beneficial for children travelling from distance or when focused progress is needed. These might involve daily sessions over 2-3 weeks, depending on the treatment type and your child's needs. We also offer multi disciplinary blocks for combinations of Physio, OT, SLT and hipotherapy (EAP).

What is hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy is equine-assisted physiotherapy (EAP) - using the movement of horses as part of therapy. Through our partnership with REACH charity in Brentwood, we can combine traditional physiotherapy with the unique benefits of horse movement to improve balance, coordination, strength, and confidence.

Results and progress

How will I know if therapy is working?

We regularly monitor and discuss your child's progress with you. You'll see progress in different ways:

• Achieving specific goals we've set together

• Improvements in daily activities at home and school

• Increased confidence and willingness to try new things

• Better participation in family and social activities

• Formal reassessments showing measurable improvements

We provide regular updates and formal progress reports as needed.

What if progress seems slow?

Every child develops at their own pace, and progress isn't always linear. Some children make rapid improvements, whilst others progress more gradually. We regularly review treatment approaches and adjust plans if needed. We'll always be honest about realistic expectations and timeframes.

If progress is slower than expected, we'll explore different approaches, consider whether additional assessments might be helpful, or discuss whether referral to other specialists would be beneficial.

When might therapy end?

Therapy might end when:

• Your child has achieved their goals and is managing well independently

• Skills have been developed and consolidated

• You and your child feel confident managing without ongoing support

• We've taught you strategies to support your child's continued progress

Some children graduate from regular therapy to periodic check-ins to monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed.

Getting in touch

How can I contact you?

Phone - 01206 212 849 (our main number for all enquiries)

Initial discussions - Our friendly team can discuss your needs and arrange assessments

Follow-up questions - We're always happy to answer questions about your child's therapy

What if I have concerns about my child's therapy?

We want you to feel completely comfortable with your child's care. If you have any concerns, please speak to your child's therapist directly or contact our practice manager. We take all feedback seriously and will work with you to address any issues promptly.

Can I get a second opinion?

Of course. We're confident in our expertise, but we understand that sometimes families want additional perspectives, especially for complex conditions. We're happy to provide reports and information to other professionals and can recommend appropriate specialists when relevant.

Still have questions?

Don't hesitate to call us on 01206 212 849. Our experienced team is here to help and we're always happy to discuss how we might be able to support your child's development.

At Kids' Therapy Works, no question is too small - we're here to support you and your child every step of the way.