Physiotherapy Practice with Children and Families

Postgraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
REHB 6001
Course ID icon
Course ID
204848
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of AH & HP
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Sophie Lefmann
Course level icon
Course level
6
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
Yes
Work Integrated Learning type
Work Integrated Learning type
Clinical Placement
Work Integrated Learning hours
Work Integrated Learning hours
90 hours
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

The aim of this course is to develop and apply specialised evidence based clinical knowledge of childhood conditions and child development and mastery of skills of assessment, analysis of findings, planning, intervention and evaluation required for safe and effective family-centred physiotherapy practice with children. Students will learn how to apply specialised evidence-based clinical knowledge and skills required for paediatric physiotherapy practice relevant to a variety of contexts and service models using family-centred principles. Students will learn the causes and mechanisms of activity limitations and participation restrictions in children and pathophysiology and sequelae of a range of congenital, chronic, developmental, musculoskeletal, neurological and degenerative conditions requiring physiotherapy management during childhood and adolescence.

Students will develop skills in the physiotherapy evaluation procedures, outcome measures and management planning relevant to these conditions.

Students will develop skills in physiotherapy management including specific therapeutic techniques, exercise, application of principles of motor learning, functional mobility, postural control, gait, use of orthoses, mobility aids and other assistive devices, equipment and technology, cardiorespiratory fitness/physical activity caregiver engagement/support/education, support for inclusion in childhood settings and programming for a variety of settings.

Students will integrate culturally responsive care and social and emotional issues relating to disability, occupational health and safety issues especially manual handling, the role of other team members within the management team, models of service delivery and advocacy.

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a mastery in knowledge and application of knowledge of childhood conditions requiring physiotherapy assessment and management.
  • Synthesise and apply knowledge of typical childhood development, assessment tools and evidence based approaches to management, to execute a physiotherapy evaluation with a child and develop a physiotherapy management plan.
  • Integrate clinical reasoning skills to safely and effectively conduct an appropriate and holistic evaluation, to establish an evidence-based physiotherapy management plan, and critically evaluate and measure the effectiveness of the management.
  • Explore the role of physiotherapy as an advocate, and as part of the interprofessional management of children in various environments and service-delivery models
  • Integrate family-centred practice principles, including engaging, supporting and educating caregivers in the prevention and management of children's activity limitations and/or participation restrictions.
  • Demonstrate professional, culturally responsive and ethical behaviour required of an entry level physiotherapist when working with children and families that is consistent with Australian Physiotherapy Association's and Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency's codes, policies and guidelines.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 51533
Section
Section CL01
Size
Size 10
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
20 Jul - 21 Aug Monday 9:10am - 12:30pm Adelaide City Campus East ,
Notes:
Block 6
Class number
Class number 51534
Section
Section CL02
Size
Size 10
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Aug - 25 Sep Monday 9:10am - 12:30pm Adelaide City Campus East ,
Notes:
Block 7
Class number
Class number 51535
Section
Section CL03
Size
Size 10
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
28 Sep - 30 Oct Monday 9:10am - 12:30pm Adelaide City Campus East ,
Notes:
Block 8
Class number
Class number 52492
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
30 Jun - 30 Jun Tuesday 9:10am - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Playford, P3-20
6 Jul - 6 Jul Monday 9:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C4-16
Class number
Class number 51536
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
1 Jul - 1 Jul Wednesday 9:10am - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C7-08
1 Jul - 1 Jul Wednesday 9:10am - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C7-70
1 Jul - 1 Jul Wednesday 9:10am - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C7-71
2 Jul - 2 Jul Thursday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C7-70
2 Jul - 2 Jul Thursday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C7-71
2 Jul - 2 Jul Thursday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C8-17
2 Jul - 2 Jul Thursday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C8-18
2 Jul - 2 Jul Thursday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C4-16
3 Jul - 3 Jul Friday 9:10am - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C7-70
3 Jul - 3 Jul Friday 9:10am - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C7-71
3 Jul - 3 Jul Friday 9:10am - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C8-17
3 Jul - 3 Jul Friday 9:10am - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C8-18
Class number
Class number 51537
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 10
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
22 Jul - 5 Aug Wednesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East ,
Class number
Class number 51538
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 10
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Aug - 9 Sep Wednesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East ,
Class number
Class number 51539
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 10
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
30 Sep - 14 Oct Wednesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East ,

Prerequisite(s)

  • must have completed all of REHB5000 Physiotherapy Professional Practice/REHB5010 Evidence Informed Clinical Reasoning in Physiotherapy

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed REHB6017 Physiotherapy Practice with Children and Families at the University of South Australia

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