Paediatric health

A picture of a physiotherapist helping a young child to balance.
INMOTION 26 Aug, 2026

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Triston Hunter reflects on balanced reporting in paediatric physiotherapy. Followed by Dr Nikki Milne's reply.

I am responding to Melissa Trudinger’s recent InMotion article ‘No evidence for CME effectiveness alarms physios’ (Trudinger 2026), which critiques Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) therapy and the Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME)

A girl in a wheel chair throwing up a peace sign
INMOTION 03 Aug, 2026

Thriving Kids early intervention reforms

ADVOCACY The federal government’s Thriving Kids reforms reduce barriers to access but delivery will depend on how early intervention is designed and funded, writes the APA Policy and Government Relations team.

Thriving Kids is designed for children aged zero to eight with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs. 

Illustration depicting a child experiencing mental anguish.
INMOTION 01 Jul, 2026

Working with kids in pain

In a session about improving communication and therapeutic interactions with children and families, the lived experience of a young adult who has had chronic pain since childhood was at the forefront.

Eliza Lawrence has lived with chronic pain since she was a child. 

Years of being dismissed and her experiences being invalidated by medical professionals have left a mark on her and on her mother Kim. 

Three young children are sitting on the floor playing with building blocks.
INMOTION 01 Jun, 2026

No evidence for CME effectiveness alarms physios

RESEARCH FOCUS Cuevas Medek Exercises are an increasingly popular paediatric therapy for children with disability but a recent review has shown that little evidence exists to support their use.

A generic, overhead photograph of two wrestlers locked in battle.
INMOTION 01 Jun, 2026

Wrestling with a late career change

From the wrestling mat to the treatment room, Kris Grzywniak’s path into physiotherapy has been anything but conventional. A former Polish national team wrestler and coach, now working in private practice, Kris brings a rare blend of lived athletic insight, coaching skills and clinical reasoning to every patient.

Krzysztof ‘Kris’ Grzywniak APAM does not fit the mould of the typical early-career physiotherapist. His journey into the profession was not a straight line from school to university to clinic. 

A man plays with his young son
INMOTION 01 Apr, 2026

5 facts about paediatric musculoskeletal disorders

Cynthia Lo, Alexandra Walton, Emma Fletcher, Jessica Wilkes and Tanmayi Patgaonkar present five discussion points about child-specific musculoskeletal disorders and when intervention is warranted.

A child in a special, purpose-built car seat
INMOTION 27 Mar, 2026

Allied health recognition in road rules

The National Transport Commission is reviewing road rules surrounding child restraint requirements, which could have implications for physiotherapy scope of practice.

Despite playing a key role in assessing and prescribing for the motor vehicle transport needs of people with disability, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals are not recognised in the Australian Road Rules – but this could be about to change. 

A physiotherapist working with a child.
INMOTION 27 Feb, 2026

Supporting child safety

Andrew McKenzie, principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, discusses the legal and ethical obligations for physiotherapists who work with children, including recent changes to the National Quality Framework.

Working with children is one of the most rewarding aspects of physiotherapy practice but it also comes with complex legal, ethical and professional responsibilities. 

The photo shows a paediatric physiotherapist working with a young child.
INMOTION 02 Feb, 2026

Helping children live their best lives

PAEDIATRIC Dr Kristy Nicola is a paediatric physiotherapist, clinician, researcher, academic and service leader who has built a career helping children defy expectations, from non-verbal students in specialist schools to families in community clinics. Here she talks about what drives her work, her longstanding commitment to the APA and her leadership in shaping paediatric physiotherapy practice nationally and internationally.

Alicia Spittle received the 2025 Yvonne Burns Award.
INMOTION 27 Jan, 2026

Leading with evidence and empathy

Alicia Spittle has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Yvonne Burns Award, recognising her leadership, research impact and lifelong commitment to the wellbeing of preterm infants and children with neurodevelopmental challenges.

Winning the 2025 Yvonne Burns Award has been a deeply personal moment for Alicia Spittle FACP, whose decades-long contribution to paediatric physiotherapy has helped shape clinical practice, research directions and mentoring culture across Australia.