Paediatric Physiotherapy Oakville | Children's Physio — RCP Health
What It Is

What is Paediatric
Physiotherapy?

Paediatric physiotherapy is a specialised branch of physiotherapy dedicated to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of physical conditions in children and young people from birth through 18 years of age.

Unlike adult physiotherapy, paediatric practice requires deep knowledge of child development, growth-related musculoskeletal changes, neurological maturation, and age-appropriate communication. Our registered physiotherapists at RCP Health are trained to work with children at every developmental stage — using play, games, and family-centred strategies to make therapy engaging, effective, and fun.

The goal is always to help your child achieve their fullest physical potential — whether that means meeting a developmental milestone for the first time, returning to sport after injury, or improving independence and quality of life with a chronic condition.

Book Your Child's Assessment →
🎯

Goal-Directed

Every treatment plan is built around your child's unique goals — from first steps to return-to-sport

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Play-Based

Therapy is designed to feel like play, maximising engagement, motivation, and real-world carryover

👨‍👩‍👧

Family-Centred

Parents and caregivers are active partners in the therapy process, with home programs and education

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Evidence-Based

All interventions are grounded in current paediatric physiotherapy research and clinical best practice

Now Enrolling

RCP Health Paediatric Physiotherapy Program

A structured, goal-oriented program designed exclusively for children from birth to 18 — combining expert physiotherapy, family education, and milestone-based progress tracking. Give your child the support they need to grow, move, and thrive with confidence.

  • ✓ Personalised care plans for every child
  • ✓ Regular milestone reviews & progress reports
  • ✓ Home exercise programs for parents
  • ✓ Direct billing to most insurers
Who We Help

Who We Help — Every Age, Every Stage.

Our registered paediatric physiotherapists provide specialised assessment and treatment for children across all stages of development — from neonates with birth-related injuries to teenagers recovering from sports trauma.

We use play-based, family-centred approaches that are developmentally appropriate, engaging, and evidence-informed, so every child feels safe and motivated to progress.

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Neonates
& Infants
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Toddlers
1–4 yrs
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School Age
5–12 yrs
🧑‍🎓
Teens
13–18 yrs

⚠️ Warning Signs Your Child May Need Physiotherapy

Missing motor milestones (not sitting, standing, or walking on time)
Persistent toe-walking or unusual gait pattern
Recurring limb, joint, or back pain during activity
Visible spinal curvature or postural asymmetry
Difficulty keeping up with peers in physical activities
Balance problems, frequent falling, or coordination difficulties
Flat head (plagiocephaly) or neck tilting (torticollis) in infants
Conditions We Treat

Paediatric Conditions
We Specialise In

Our paediatric physiotherapy team has expertise across a wide spectrum of neurological, musculoskeletal, developmental, and cardiorespiratory conditions in children.

🧠
Cerebral Palsy

Improving motor function, muscle tone, mobility, and functional independence through targeted neuromotor rehabilitation and gait training for children with CP.

Neurological Physio →
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Developmental Delays

Assessment and treatment for children who are late to roll, sit, crawl, stand, or walk — using evidence-based play therapy and motor learning strategies.

Learn More →
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Torticollis & Plagiocephaly

Manual therapy and stretching programs for infants with neck tightness (torticollis) and flat-head syndrome (plagiocephaly) — best started early for optimal outcomes.

Learn More →
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Gait Disorders & Toe-Walking

Gait analysis, stretching, strengthening, and orthopaedic intervention for children with toe-walking, in-toeing, out-toeing, and other gait abnormalities.

MSK Physio →
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Scoliosis & Spinal Conditions

Postural correction, Schroth method exercises, and core stabilisation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, kyphosis, and Scheuermann's disease.

MSK Physio →
Paediatric Sports Injuries

Treatment of growth plate injuries (Osgood-Schlatter, Sever's disease), ACL rehabilitation, ligament sprains, muscle strains, and overuse injuries in young athletes.

Sports Physio →
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Respiratory & Cardio Conditions

Chest physiotherapy, airway clearance techniques, and breathing exercises for children with asthma, cystic fibrosis, and post-surgical cardiorespiratory conditions.

Learn More →
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Hypermobility & Joint Instability

Stabilisation and proprioception training for children with hypermobile joints, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and connective tissue disorders causing pain and recurrent injury.

MSK Physio →
Spina Bifida & Neuromuscular Conditions

Mobility optimisation, orthotic assessment, and functional independence programs for children with spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy.

Neuro Physio →
Developmental Milestones

When Should Your
Child See a Physiotherapist?

Every child develops at their own pace, but certain milestone delays signal that a physiotherapy assessment could make a meaningful difference in your child's development and quality of life.

Early intervention leads to significantly better long-term outcomes — don't wait for your child to "grow out of it."

2m
2 Months
Not lifting head during tummy time; asymmetric head position (possible torticollis)
6m
6 Months
Not rolling in both directions; limited use of one side; poor head control
12m
12 Months
Not pulling to stand; not crawling in a typical pattern; persistent W-sitting
18m
18 Months
Not walking independently; walking on toes; frequent unexplained falls
3yr
3 Years+
Persistent gait abnormality; pain with walking; difficulty climbing stairs; poor balance

Do You Need a Referral?

In Ontario, you can see a registered physiotherapist directly — no physician referral is required to book an appointment at RCP Health.

No referral needed to book your child's assessment
We accept referrals from pediatricians, family doctors, and specialists
Direct billing to most major insurance providers
WSIB and MVA cases accepted with documentation
School board and community health referrals welcomed
Book Your Child's Assessment →
Our Approach

Evidence-Based Techniques
for Little Bodies

We combine play-based engagement with evidence-backed clinical techniques, customised to each child's age, diagnosis, and developmental stage.

01
Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT / Bobath)

A hands-on approach that facilitates normal movement patterns and inhibits abnormal tone in children with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, and developmental conditions. Therapists guide movement to promote neuroplasticity and functional motor control.

02
Motor Learning & Task-Specific Training

Repetitive, goal-directed practice of functional tasks (reaching, sitting, standing, walking) to drive neuroplastic changes and improve motor skill acquisition in children with neurological and developmental conditions.

03
Play-Based Physiotherapy

Therapeutic exercises disguised as games and play activities matched to each child's interests — maximising engagement, motivation, and carryover of therapy goals into daily life. Essential for younger children and those with developmental or behavioural needs.

04
Manual Therapy & Soft Tissue Techniques

Age-appropriate joint mobilisation, muscle energy techniques, myofascial release, and stretching for children with torticollis, musculoskeletal pain, hypomobility, post-fracture stiffness, and soft tissue restrictions.

05
Gait Training & Biomechanical Analysis

Systematic assessment of walking patterns and functional movement, followed by targeted retraining programs. Includes orthotic recommendations, footwear advice, and strengthening protocols for toe-walking, in-toeing, and asymmetric gait.

06
Chest Physiotherapy & Airway Clearance

Manual percussion, postural drainage, and breathing re-education techniques for children with cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchiectasis, and post-operative respiratory conditions to improve lung function and secretion clearance.

Assessment & Tools

How We Assess
Your Child.

Our physiotherapists use a combination of standardised clinical assessment tools and observational analysis to create an accurate, holistic picture of your child's strengths and challenges.

📊

GMFM-88 / GMFM-66

Gross Motor Function Measure — gold-standard tool for tracking motor progress in children with cerebral palsy and similar conditions.

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Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2)

Standardised assessment of gross and fine motor skills for children 0–5 years, identifying developmental delays and tracking progress.

⚖️

Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)

Functional balance assessment adapted from the Berg Balance Scale, used with children aged 5–15 with motor impairments.

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Goniometry & Muscle Length Testing

Precise joint range of motion and muscle flexibility measurements to guide treatment planning and track outcomes.

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Observational Gait Analysis

Systematic assessment of walking patterns, foot alignment, and biomechanics to identify gait deviations and plan targeted interventions.

What to Expect

Your Child's First
Visit at RCP Health

1
Parent Intake & History

We begin with a detailed discussion of your child's medical history, birth history, developmental milestones, and your specific concerns and goals for therapy.

2
Comprehensive Physical Assessment

Standardised and functional assessment of strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, posture, gait, and developmental skills appropriate to your child's age.

3
Goal Setting with Family

We collaborate with you and your child to set meaningful, realistic treatment goals — from milestone achievement to return to sport or improved school participation.

4
Personalised Treatment Plan

A customised plan with session frequency, home exercise program, and clear outcome milestones. We adapt continuously based on your child's progress and response.

5
Progress Review & Discharge Planning

Regular reassessment using standardised tools. We involve parents, schools, and other care providers as needed to support carryover of therapy into everyday life.

FAQ

Questions Parents
Often Ask Us

Everything you need to know about paediatric physiotherapy at RCP Health Oakville.

Our paediatric physiotherapy services cover children from birth through 18 years of age. This includes neonates with birth-related conditions, infants with developmental delays, toddlers with motor challenges, school-age children with musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, and teenagers recovering from sports injuries or managing chronic conditions.
Key signs include: missing motor milestones, toe-walking, difficulty keeping up with peers physically, recurring joint or muscle pain, visible spinal curvature, balance problems, or a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, developmental delay, or connective tissue disorder. When in doubt, a physiotherapy assessment can provide clarity and early intervention guidance.
No referral is required to see a physiotherapist in Ontario. You can book directly with RCP Health. However, some extended health insurance plans require a physician's referral for reimbursement — we recommend checking with your insurer. RCP Health offers direct billing to most major providers.
Initial assessments typically take 45–60 minutes and include a parent interview, physical assessment, and goal-setting discussion. Follow-up treatment sessions are usually 30–45 minutes, tailored to your child's age, attention span, and therapeutic needs. Sessions are always structured to feel engaging and age-appropriate.
Physiotherapy is not covered by OHIP for most patients in Ontario. However, it is commonly covered under extended health benefit plans at 80–100% with a referral. RCP Health offers direct billing to most major insurers. Patients with WSIB claims or motor vehicle accident injuries may also be eligible for fully covered services. Contact us to confirm your coverage.
Find Us

Getting to RCP Health
from Your Area

Conveniently located at #304, 700 Dorval Drive, Oakville (at QEW & Dorval Drive) — easily accessible from Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga.

From Oakville
Oakville Place Mall → RCP Health
Head west on Trafalgar Rd toward the QEW
Merge onto QEW West — drive approximately 5 minutes
Take the Dorval Drive exit and turn right
700 Dorval Drive is on your left — Suite #304
Open in Google Maps ↗
From Burlington
Joseph Brant Hospital → RCP Health
Head east on New St toward Guelph Line
Turn right onto QEW East — approx. 12 min drive
Take Dorval Drive exit, turn left (north)
700 Dorval Drive on your right — Suite #304
Open in Google Maps ↗
From Mississauga
Square One Mall → RCP Health
Head south on Hurontario St to the QEW
Merge onto QEW West — drive approximately 18 min
Take Dorval Drive exit and turn right (north)
700 Dorval Drive on your right — Suite #304
Open in Google Maps ↗
Book an Appointment

Your Child Deserves to
Move, Play & Thrive.

Book a paediatric physiotherapy assessment at RCP Health Oakville. Our registered physiotherapists are ready to support your child's journey to their fullest potential.

📞 1.888.332.7372