Paediatrics: Gross Motor Delay

What to Expect When You Visit Our Physiotherapist

When you bring your child to us for gross motor delay, our physiotherapist will assess age-appropriate skills such as tummy time, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, balance, coordination, strength, and movement confidence. Treatment is play-based and may include strengthening activities, balance games, postural control training, parent education, and home activities that fit into daily routines. Our goal is to help your child build confidence and progress toward their motor milestones in a supportive, family-friendly way.

Time to favourable outcome

3–12 months typical

StartMedian: 6 monthsFavourable outcome
100%75%50%25%0%
0mo3mo6mo9mo12mo

Results Comparison

Physio Recovery Rate

With Physio60% – 85%
No Treatment (Spontaneous)30% – 60%
How Does the Treatment Work?
Manual TherapySupports positioning, comfort and movement preparation where needed.
Exercise RehabPlay-based strengthening builds motor skills and confidence.

Sustained Relief (%)

3 / 6 / 12 months
3 months55%
6 months70%
12 months80%

Factors Influencing Recovery Speed

What speeds up recovery

Early Intervention

• Earlier support can build age-appropriate movement habits. • Parent-led daily practice makes therapy more effective.

Play-Based Strengthening

• Tummy time, balance games and movement play support milestones. • Consistent routines help children practise without pressure.

What slows down recovery

Limited Floor Time

• Too little active play can reduce movement confidence. • Excessive equipment use may limit natural practice opportunities.

Underlying Development Factors

• Low tone, prematurity or neurological conditions may slow progress. • Missed appointments and inconsistent home practice also reduce gains.

How do we estimate outcomes?

We combine insights from published research, clinical guidelines, practitioner experience, and typical rehabilitation timelines to map out common recovery trajectories. The ranges presented are general estimates only and should not be interpreted as guaranteed results.

!

Important Disclaimer

This tool is intended for visualisation and general educational purposes only, to help clients gain a broad understanding of some common conditions managed by our physiotherapists. It is based on practitioner experience, clinical reasoning, and selected published research.

It does not account for individual circumstances, including your specific condition, medical history, imaging findings, medications, surgical history, lifestyle, or other personal factors. Recovery can vary significantly between individuals.

Our physiotherapy services are not a substitute for medical care provided by your doctor or specialist. You should always follow the advice and treatment plan recommended by your medical practitioner, and consult them directly for guidance specific to your situation.