Glossary

EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan)

A legal document for children and young people (birth to 25) in England whose special educational needs need more support than a school can normally provide on its own. It sets out a child's needs and the specific education, health and care support that must be provided to meet them.

SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)

The member of staff at a school or nursery responsible for coordinating support for children with special educational needs, and usually the first point of contact for parents with a concern about their child's learning or development.

HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council)

The UK regulator for physiotherapists and several other health professions. Physiotherapists must be registered with the HCPC to practise, and to legally use the title 'physiotherapist'. You can check anyone's registration on the HCPC's public register.

CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy)

The professional, educational and trade union body for physiotherapists in the UK. Membership is voluntary (unlike HCPC registration, which is required by law) and provides professional standards, guidance and liability insurance.

Gross motor skills

The bigger movements that use the large muscles of the body: rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping and climbing. This is the main focus of paediatric physiotherapy, as distinct from 'fine motor skills' (handwriting, buttons, small hand movements), which occupational therapists typically support.

Hypermobility

Joints that move further than average, for example elbows or knees that over-straighten. It's common in children, often runs in families, and for many people never causes any trouble at all.Read our guide →

Torticollis

A tightness, usually in a neck muscle, that makes it easier for a baby to turn or tilt their head one way than the other. Common, treatable, and often linked with a flat spot on the head.Read our guide →

Plagiocephaly

Flattening on one side of the back of a baby's head, from time spent resting on that spot. It's a shape issue rather than a brain issue, and often improves with repositioning and physiotherapy, especially when addressed early.

DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder)

A condition where a child's coordination is noticeably behind what's expected for their age, in a way that affects everyday life, and isn't explained by another medical condition. Sometimes called dyspraxia. Formally diagnosed by a paediatrician, usually alongside occupational therapy and physiotherapy input.Read our guide →

Tone (muscle tone)

The natural, resting tension in a muscle. 'Low tone' (hypotonia) can make a child feel floppier and tire more easily; 'high tone' (hypertonia) can make movement feel stiffer and more effortful. Tone is assessed by a clinician, not something a parent can measure at home.

Proprioception

The sense of where your body is in space, without looking, which is what lets you touch your nose with your eyes closed or walk without watching your feet. It develops through movement and play, and is often part of what physiotherapy builds through balance and coordination activities.

Corrected age

For a baby born prematurely (generally three or more weeks early), the age they would be if born on their original due date, rather than their actual birth date. Milestones are usually judged against corrected age, not chronological age, until around two years old.

Health visitor

A qualified nurse or midwife with extra training in child health and development, who supports families with children from birth to school age, including developmental checks. In England, health visitors run standard checks at set ages.

GP referral

A letter from a GP recommending a patient for a particular service. You do not need one to see us: families can book directly, and we're happy to liaise with your GP, with your permission, if that would help.

Outcome measure

A standardised way of recording a child's movement or function, used before and after a period of treatment to track progress objectively, rather than relying on impression alone.

These definitions are general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice about your child. If you're not sure a term applies to your situation, please get in touch and we'll talk it through.