Does my child need physio, OT, or both?
It's one of the most common questions we get from families who are new to therapy: is this an OT thing or a physio thing? The honest answer is that the two overlap more than people expect — but there are some useful rules of thumb.
The rough distinction
Physiotherapy tends to focus on movement itself — how a child moves, how strong and coordinated they are, and whether their body is developing the physical skills expected for their age. Occupational therapy tends to focus on function — how a child manages the everyday tasks and sensory experiences of their life, whether that's getting dressed, coping with a noisy classroom, or holding a pencil.
| More likely physio | More likely OT |
|---|---|
| Delayed walking, crawling or other gross motor milestones | Difficulty with sensory input (noise, touch, textures, crowds) |
| Low muscle tone or general "floppiness" | Trouble with fine motor tasks — cutting, writing, buttons |
| A flat spot on the head or preference for turning one way (torticollis) | Meltdowns or shutdowns in response to environments |
| Frequent falls, clumsiness, or avoidance of active play | Difficulty with daily routines — dressing, eating, sleep |
| Diagnosed conditions like cerebral palsy or hypotonia | Difficulty regulating emotions or transitioning between activities |
Why a lot of kids benefit from both
Movement and sensory processing aren't separate systems in a child's actual experience — a child with low muscle tone might also struggle with sensory feedback from their body (proprioception), and a child who avoids messy play for sensory reasons might also be missing out on the movement practice that builds coordination. This is exactly why we built Three Therapy around both disciplines under one roof: when it's genuinely useful, Helen and Sam compare notes and align goals, even though sessions themselves happen separately.
If you're still not sure
You don't need to work this out perfectly before reaching out. Tell us what you're noticing — in your own words, not clinical terms — and we'll help you figure out whether it's an OT starting point, a physio starting point, or both from day one. Getting the referral pathway exactly right on the first try matters far less than just starting the conversation.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll help you work out the right first step.
Get in touch