Physiotherapy vs. Occupational Therapy for Kids: What’s the Difference and Which One Does Your Child Need?
- aquilaphysio
- Nov 28
- 3 min read
Introduction: Understanding Your Child’s Therapy Options
When a child is struggling with movement, coordination, or daily life skills, healthcare providers often recommend therapy. But should your child see a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist? This guide helps parents understand the difference between the two and how each can help your child grow, move, and thrive.
What Is Pediatric Physiotherapy?
Pediatric physiotherapy (PT) helps children improve physical movement, strength, balance, and coordination. Therapists work on large muscle groups and gross motor skills like walking, running, or climbing stairs.
PTs also assist children recovering from injury, surgery, or neurological conditions. Therapy may involve stretching, strength-building, balance activities, and gait training.
What Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) for children focuses on helping them perform everyday activities independently. These may include dressing, eating, writing, or playing.
OTs work on fine motor skills, visual-motor integration, and sensory regulation. Therapy often involves play-based tasks, adaptive tools, and sensory-friendly environments.
Key Differences Between OT and PT
Feature | Occupational Therapy (OT) | Physiotherapy (PT) |
Main Goal | Functional independence | Physical mobility |
Focus | Fine motor skills, sensory needs | Gross motor skills, strength |
Therapy Tools | Puzzles, adapted utensils, weighted vests | Resistance bands, balance balls, walkers |
Examples | Dressing, feeding, classroom tasks | Crawling, walking, climbing stairs |
Both therapists often collaborate on shared goals, but with different strategies.
Common Conditions Treated by OT vs PT
Some conditions benefit from both therapies. Here are typical focuses:
Condition | OT Focus | PT Focus |
Autism Spectrum Disorder | Sensory processing, daily routines | Core strength, coordination |
Cerebral Palsy | Self-care tasks, adaptive techniques | Mobility, posture, gait |
Developmental Delay | Fine motor milestones | Gross motor milestones |
Down Syndrome | Hand use, feeding, visual-motor tasks | Joint stability, muscle tone |
Post-Surgery | ADL retraining | Range of motion, walking |
Source: NHS Paediatric Therapy Services
When Your Child May Need Both
Many children benefit from a collaborative therapy plan. For example:
A child with cerebral palsy may see a PT for walking and an OT for dressing.
A child with autism may work with a PT on motor planning and with an OT on sensory regulation.
Joint therapy can offer holistic progress across physical and functional skills.
How to Decide Which Therapy Is Right
Start with a referral from your GP, pediatrician, or child health nurse.
Consider your child's primary challenges: is it movement, or daily tasks?
Look for clinics offering multi-disciplinary assessments.
Early evaluation often reveals whether one or both therapies are needed.
Final Thoughts
OT and PT both play critical roles in child development. Understanding their unique focus areas empowers families to make confident care decisions. With the right support, your child can gain strength, skill, and independence.
Glossary of Terms
Gross Motor Skills: Large movements like crawling, running, and jumping.
Fine Motor Skills: Small hand and finger movements like grasping, writing, and buttoning.
Sensory Processing: The brain's ability to interpret and respond to sensory input.
ADLs (Activities of Daily Living): Basic tasks like bathing, eating, and dressing.
Motor Planning: The ability to plan and execute coordinated movement.
FAQ
Can my child have both OT and PT at the same time? Yes, and it’s common. Therapists often coordinate care to avoid overlap.
Is one therapy better than the other? No, they serve different purposes. The best choice depends on your child’s goals.
What ages do OT and PT serve? Both work with children from infancy through adolescence.
Will insurance or NDIS cover both? In many cases, yes. Check with your funding source or service provider.
How do I start therapy for my child? Start with a developmental check-up and request a referral.
Comments