Pediatric Physiotherapist

Gold Coast, Australia

Worried about your baby’s development in their first year?

Sometimes it’s not obvious.

It’s just a quiet feeling.

They don’t enjoy tummy time.

They feel stiff when you pick them up.

They always look to one side.

Rolling hasn’t happened yet.

Or they seem floppy and hard to support.

You don’t want to panic.

But you don’t want to miss something either.

The first year of life matters enormously.

I specialise in early assessment and support for babies under 12 months — when small changes can make a powerful difference.

Book an Infant Development Assessment

The First Year Is Different

The first 12 months are not just about milestones.

They are about how the brain and body are organising themselves.

In this window:

• The brain is highly adaptable

• Movement patterns are still forming

• Early support can significantly influence future outcomes

Subtle differences during this time are often easy to overlook — or dismiss.

But they are also the easiest to guide when identified early.

What Parents of Babies Often Notice

You might be seeing:

• Head preference or flat spots

• Stiffness or unusual tightness

• Floppiness or low muscle tone

• Difficulty lifting the head in tummy time

• Delayed rolling or pushing up

• Limited reaching or midline hand play

• Asymmetrical movements

• Poor weight bearing through arms

Or you may not have a specific concern — just a sense that something feels different.

That instinct matters.

What Happens at an Infant Assessment?

When you come in with your baby, the appointment is calm and unrushed.

I assess:

• Movement quality (not just whether a milestone is achieved)

• Muscle tone

• Posture and symmetry

• Early motor patterns

• Neurological indicators through General Movements Assessment (where appropriate)

You will leave knowing:

• What I’m seeing

• Whether it falls within typical variation

• What we should monitor

• What simple strategies you can begin immediately

Even small pieces of clarity reduce enormous worry.

Why Early Identification Matters

Early support does not mean rushing toward a diagnosis.

It means understanding patterns while the brain is most adaptable.

During the first year, the nervous system is highly responsive to targeted input. The right guidance at the right time can:

• Improve movement efficiency

• Support symmetry

• Strengthen motor foundations

• Reduce compensatory patterns

• Build confidence for future milestones

Early is not about fear.

It is about opportunity.

How I Work With Babies

My approach combines:

• Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDTA)

• General Movements Assessment

• Task Specific Electrical Stimulation (TASES) where appropriate

• Hands-on facilitation

• Intensive therapy blocks when needed

• Parent-guided home strategies but equally important, I work with you.

Parents are not observers in this process. You are central to your baby’s progress. I will never overwhelm you with complicated programs.

We focus on clear, achievable steps that fit naturally into your day.