15 Nov Are you starting to lose hope of ever seeing your child walk
Have you been told that your child with special needs would never walk
Did you know that the brain is very mouldable and capable of learning, changing and adapting as a result of experience. This is known as neuroplasticity. There are two types of neuroplasticity, Functional plasticity which refers to the brain’s ability to move functions from a damaged area of the brain to other undamaged areas, and Structural plasticity which refers to the brain’s ability to actually change its physical structure as a result of learning.
The first few years of a child’s life are a time of rapid brain growth. At birth, every neuron (nerve cell)in the brain has an estimated 2,500 synapses; by the age of three, this number has grown to a whopping 15,000 synapses per neuron. Neurons that are used frequently develop stronger connections and those that are rarely or never used eventually die. Conversely, new connections can be made in the brain when learning takes place in the environment where a child is stimulated to learn new movement skills. This is why Early Intervention in the first 5 years of life is critical for a child’s development.
Here at My Favourite Physio, our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists have been able to effectively implement Early Intervention Physiotherapy to successfully help many babies and children learn to roll, crawl, sit, stand and walk! Even the little ones who the medical team has said may not ever walk. The truth is brain neuroplasticity should never be underestimated, a child’s potential to learn is often times beyond logical reasoning. With the right kind of Paediatric Physiotherapy Intervention and determination, many of our little Superstars have defied all odds to achieve walking and more!
So if you have concerns about your child’s gross motor skills or if you are starting to lose hope of seeing your child walk, ring My Favourite Physio on (02) 9790 4233 to book a 15 Minute FREE Phone Consult with one of our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists to find out how we can help your child move better today!