What to Expect When Your Child with Cerebral Palsy Meets a Physio

When you bring your child to see a physio for cerebral palsy (CP), it can feel like there are a lot of moving parts. You might wonder what all the tests, observations, and gentle movements are actually for.

Here are some examples of what we might assess during a session and why each piece of the puzzle matters.

1. Muscle Tone

Cerebral palsy directly affects muscle tone, which is the natural tension in a muscle when it’s at rest. There are different types of tone like spasticity and dystonia you may already have been told about. 

During an assessment, your physio will watch how your child moves freely, as well as hold and gently move their limbs. We are looking for different types tone. Understanding your child's specific tone helps us choose the best techniques, stretching routines, or equipment to support their movement.

2. Range of Movement

High muscle tone can make muscles and tendons feel tight. In a growing child, persistent high tone can increase the risk of muscle shortening and contractures (where a joint becomes fixed in a bent or straight position).

We measure range of movement to with the goal to prevent long-term pain and structural deformity so your child can stay as comfortable and mobile as possible as they grow.

3. Muscle Strength

Muscles affected by CP can get stronger. We test strength across different muscle groups—from core muscles to legs and arms—to see where your child is already strong and where they need extra support. Building targeted strength gives kids the strength they need to master new motor skills.

4. Selective Motor Control

Selective motor control is your child’s ability to move one specific muscle or joint without activating others at the same time.

For a child with CP, isolating a single movement—like bending an ankle up and down without moving the whole leg—can feel as challenging as trying to wiggle your ears! We assess this so we can design precise exercises that help isolate and refine those individual brain-to-muscle pathways.

5. Sensation and Balance

Movement isn't just about muscles; it's also about how the brain receives feedback from the body and environment.

• Sensation: How well your child feels pressure, position, and movement.
• Balance: How their body adjusts to staying upright, whether sitting, standing, or moving.

We assess these sensory and balance pieces so we can train them directly, helping your child feel safer and more secure in their body.

6. How Your Child Walks (Gait Analysis)

The way a child with CP walks can be influenced by a combination of muscle tone, balance, strength, and selective motor control.

When observing gait, physios look very closely at every part of the step cycle. We work to:

• Improve walking style: Creating a smoother, more stable movement pattern.
• Decrease falls: Helping your child feel grounded and confident.
• Boost efficiency: Reducing the energy it takes to walk so they don't tire out as quickly and can walk for longer.
• Promote symmetry: Balancing the workload across both sides of the body to prevent long-term joint pain.

Sometimes, walking frames or supportive devices are used to give kids the freedom to walk independently and explore their world.

7. Running 

Walking is just one part of childhood! Kids want to keep up with friends, play tag, and run around.

We look at running mechanics to see how your child manages faster changes in direction and speed. For children who cannot walk without assistance, specialized running equipment (like frame runners) can open up exciting new ways to experience speed, cardio fitness, and play.

8. Foot Shape and Function

Feet are full of small, complex muscles that play a huge role in walking and standing.

Because feet are heavily impacted by high tone, poor selective motor control, and contracture risks, we examine foot alignment and function closely. Identifying foot needs early helps us recommend orthotics (in conjunction with your orthotist) or specific footwear to keep your child comfortable.

9. Community Mobility and Real-World Skills

Walking down a smooth hallway in a clinic is very different from navigating the real world. Community mobility looks at whether your child can handle:

• Navigating stairs and steps
• Walking up and down slopes
• Managing uneven surfaces like grass or sand
• Moving safely through crowded spaces like school corridors or shopping centres

Our aim is to make sure your child isn't just moving in therapy, but is ready to participate in everyday life.

10. Gross Motor Skills (The Fun Part!)

This is where we meet your child right where they are and focus on what they want to achieve.

Whether your goal is helping your child learn to sit up independently to play with siblings, participating in a school sports carnival, or climbing up and sliding down at the local playground—we want to help. We figure out what is holding them back, then partner with you to create simple, achievable strategies to build the necessary strength and skills.

A Team Approach to Support Your Child

Movement is closely linked to every other area of development. At our Walky Talky Hub in Myaree, Perth, we believe in a "team around the child" approach. Physical movement (Physiotherapy) directly supports speech and communication (Speech Therapy) as well as emotional regulation and confidence (Psychology).

If you are based in Perth, our Myaree Hub offers 1:1 sessions across Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, and Psychology. We accept NDIS (self-managed and plan-managed), Medicare, and Private Health funding.

This information is general in nature and does not replace 1:1 clinical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s development, we recommend an assessment at our Myaree Hub or with your local therapist.