What is Physiotherapy at Linden Lodge?
The Physiotherapy (PT) service at Linden Lodge supports students in developing their gross motor skills, improving or restoring movement and function, and participating in school life. Physiotherapists help students increase their independence in physical activities such as sports, PE, swimming, aquatic therapy, rebound therapy, and daily movements.
Our physiotherapists assess and provide interventions for strength, joint movement, flexibility, transfer abilities, walking and mobility, postural control, motor planning and coordination, balance, and cardiovascular endurance. They may prescribe and monitor specialist equipment, such as standing frames, walking frames, slings, transfer aids, orthotics, and positioning systems.
Input from physiotherapists is based on the student's needs, delivered through specialist assessments, one-on-one sessions, group sessions, or universal school support such as training. This input aims to integrate therapy into their school and home routines for the best outcomes in achieving their goals.
Linden Lodge PT Specialist Provisions:
The PT service at Linden Lodge offers a range of specialist services to our students which include:
Rebound Therapy: Our PTs are trained in providing rebound therapy and supporting PE and class teams for students who would benefit from this therapy.
Aquatic Therapy: All students access hydro or aquatic therapy within the school pools on a weekly basis. PTs work closely with swim and class teams to design and deliver specialist input.
Innowalk: Linden Lodge is fortunate to have both a large and a small Innowalk: a dynamic standing devise used to enable movement and physical activity for students with moderate to significant physical disabilities. Student’s can access this equipment as part of their general fitness or PT programme.
Joint Orthotics Clinic: The PTs run a joint orthotics clinic with Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, Orthotics team, both at the hospital and occasionally at school. We support the prescription and monitoring of orthotics typically lower limb, such as AFOs, specialist footwear, and gaiters, but also other items such as helmets. All Linden Lodge students in need of orthotics can access this service.
CPIP (Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathway) Assessment Clinics: The CPIP assessment evaluates the musculoskeletal system in children with cerebral palsy, focusing on lower limb joint mobility and spine health for hip surveillance. These assessments are conducted regularly and shared with relevant medical professionals and parents.
Posture Assessment Clinics and Specialist Equipment Clinics: PTs support students requiring 24-hour postural management plans through annual assessments, specialist equipment support and monitoring.
Orthopaedic Support: Our PTs collaborate with local orthopaedic teams to ensure optimal outcomes for students undergoing monitoring and orthopaedic interventions. They provide pre- and post-operative support, outreach, and coordination with orthopaedic teams for updates and assessments as needed.