Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a science-based healthcare profession, which views human movement as central to the health and well being of individuals. Physiotherapists identify and maximise movement potential through health promotion, preventive healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation.

What do Physiotherapists do

Chartered physiotherapists work to combat a broad range of physical problems, in particular those associated with neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. They can work alone or, increasingly, with other healthcare professionals in multi-professional teams.

What is Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is the corrective or rehabilitative treatment of physical and/or cognitive deficits/disorders resulting in difficulty with verbal communication. This includes both speech(articulation, intonation, rate, intensity) and language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, both receptive and expressive language, including reading and writing). Depending on the nature and severity of the disorder, common treatments may range from physical strengthening exercises, instructive or repetitive practice and drilling, to the use of audio-visual aids.

What does a Speech therapist do

The speech therapist is concerned with all aspects of communication she or he assesses the child's ability to play constructively as this will show if the child has the pre-language skills necessary to speech. She or he will test the child's understanding of what is said to them, and will assess the child's language and speech, whether the child uses single words or joins words together, and how the child actually pronounces the words. She or he will also look at whether there are any physical problems relating to the lips tongue and pallet.

If there are any difficulties in the child eating and drinking, all these areas are assessed through general observation by the use of standardised tests. Once the assessment is completed a treatment plan is formed following which the child maybe seen for treatment either in-group or individually within a child development centre, or alternatively he or she maybe seen at their home.

What is Music Therapy

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualised goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. In other words, music therapy is the use of music by a trained professional to achieve therapeutic goals. Goal areas may include, but are not limited to, motor skills, social/interpersonal development, cognitive development, self- awareness, and spiritual enhancement.

Music therapists are found in nearly every area of the helping professions. Some commonly found practices include developmental work (communication, motor skills, etc.) with individuals with special needs, songwriting and listening in reminiscence/orientation work with elderly, processing and relaxation work, and rhythmic entrainment for physical rehabilitation in stroke victims.

What does a Play Therapist do

The role of a play therapist is to help in the all round development of the child by providing stimulating experiences and constructive play situations and also to encourage the parents to create similar situations in their home, and give advice on appropriate to use and play materials. The play therapist is involved in the initial assessment and in the other treatment sessions at the centre, she or he is also able to provide a secure and stimulating environment, within these sessions. Quite often play therapy does help to detect other problems, which are not immediately obvious, and enables her to observe the child through social and nursery activities.