Paediatric Physiotherapy
Balance & Coordination Physiotherapy for Children in Singapore
When a child seems clumsier than their peers, falls often, or struggles with everyday motor tasks, physiotherapy can help work out what's behind it — with an honest read on whether it's worth a closer look, and a structured plan if it is.
Why It Matters
Clumsiness is common — and often it's simply a skill that hasn't caught up yet
Balance and coordination difficulties are among the most common reasons families come to see us, usually after a teacher or grandparent points it out first. Most children respond very well to targeted, play-based physiotherapy — the earlier the gap is identified, the sooner it closes.
What We're Assessing
Static and dynamic balance, bilateral coordination, core stability, and how your child plans and sequences movement compared with expected milestones.
Why Early Review Helps
Motor skills build on each other — a child who falls behind early can find gym class, playground games and even handwriting harder as the gap widens over time.
Rarely One Simple Cause
Balance and coordination draw on strength, sensory processing, vision and confidence together — assessment looks at the full picture, not a single test.
Coordinated Care
We work closely with your paediatrician, occupational therapist or school, and can flag when further assessment may be worth discussing.
What We Look At
Balance and coordination, explained simply
These two skills are closely related and usually assessed together — a single visit gives us a clear picture of both.
A child's ability to control their body's position, whether standing still, shifting weight, or moving — relying on input from the inner ear, vision, and muscles working together.
Shows up in everyday tasks like standing on one leg, walking along a low ledge, or staying steady on a bus or escalator.
How well different parts of the body work together in a smooth, well-timed sequence — such as both hands together, or the eyes guiding the hands and feet.
Shows up in tasks like catching a ball, using cutlery, pedalling a bike, or copying a movement they've just been shown.
A Useful Starting Point
Typical variation vs. patterns we'd like to review
This isn't a diagnosis tool — it's a guide for whether booking an assessment sooner is a good idea. When in doubt, an initial review costs you little and rules a lot out.
- An occasional stumble or missed catch, in line with peers of the same age
- New physical skills take some practice, but improve steadily with repetition
- Manages age-appropriate playground equipment with growing confidence
- Coordination is inconsistent when tired or distracted, but fine otherwise
- Frequent falls or bumping into things, noticeably more than same-age peers
- Avoids playground equipment, sport, or games that other children enjoy
- Noticeably behind on milestones like riding a bike, hopping or catching
- Tires quickly during physical activity, or seems to work much harder than peers to keep up
These are general guides, not fixed cut-offs. An assessment will always consider your child's full history, including how these patterns show up across different settings.
What Contributes
Common contributing factors
Balance and coordination difficulties are usually multifactorial — assessment looks at the fuller picture rather than a single cause.
01
Core & Postural Strength
A less developed core or postural control system can make it harder for a child to stay steady during movement, even when individual muscles are otherwise strong.
02
Limited Movement Variety
Less exposure to varied physical play — climbing, spinning, uneven surfaces — can mean fewer opportunities for the balance system to develop naturally.
03
Sensory Processing
How a child's brain interprets input from the inner ear, eyes and muscles affects how smoothly they can react to and control their own movement.
04
Confidence & Practice
A child who feels unsteady may avoid the very activities that would build the skill, which can widen the gap between them and more confident peers over time.
What To Expect
Our approach to assessing and treating your child
Every plan starts with a proper look at how your child moves before we recommend anything — no generic exercise sheets handed out on a first visit.
01
Assessment & History
We talk through your concerns and developmental history, then observe your child moving, playing and completing age-appropriate motor tasks to build a full picture.
02
Tailored Treatment Plan
Findings are explained in plain terms, with a treatment plan built around your child's specific balance and coordination goals, age and interests.
03
Guided Home Programme
Simple, play-based activities woven into daily routines and games, so progress continues well beyond the clinic between sessions.
Care Across Every Stage
Why timing matters at each age
What we look for — and how we treat it — shifts as your child grows, so a plan built for their current stage is more effective.
3–5 years
Foundational Skills
Focus on basic balance, running, jumping and climbing confidence through play — this is often the window where gaps first become noticeable against peers.
6–8 years
Skill Refinement
Building on earlier foundations with more complex tasks — cycling, ball skills, and coordinated movement needed for team sport and PE class.
9 years+
Assessment Still Valuable
Coordination can still be improved effectively, and an assessment helps clarify whether any remaining difficulty needs further discussion with your paediatrician or school.
Who's Looking After Your Child
Led by a Paediatric Physiotherapist with Advanced Specialist Training
Every plan is guided by clinical standards adapted thoughtfully for children, and backed by ongoing professional development.
Session Fees
Straightforward pricing
Speak with us about insurance direct billing eligibility.
$260 / 45 mins
Assessment, treatment and home programme guidance at our Bukit Timah clinic.
$350 / 45 mins
Singapore-wide, for children more settled in a familiar environment.
Direct billing available with select insurance providers — see our full fees page for all services.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
At what age can my child be seen?
We typically see children from around 3 years old for balance and coordination concerns, right through to the primary school years. Earlier assessment generally gives more time for skills to catch up before they affect school or sport.
Do I need a doctor's referral first?
No referral is required to book an initial assessment. If your child has an existing diagnosis or is under a paediatrician's or occupational therapist's care, we're glad to coordinate directly with them.
Could this be something like dyspraxia or DCD?
Sometimes persistent coordination difficulty is linked to a broader condition such as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). We don't provide a formal diagnosis, but our assessment can help identify patterns worth discussing with your paediatrician, and we're happy to work alongside a wider care team where one is already involved.
What can I do at home before our first visit?
Everyday physical play — climbing, balancing along a low ledge, catching a soft ball — is genuinely useful in the meantime. We'll build on this with a tailored plan at your assessment.
How many sessions will my child typically need?
This depends on the underlying pattern and how early treatment starts — some children need a short course of visits with a solid home programme, while more persistent difficulty is reviewed over a longer period. We'll give you a clear expected timeline after the initial assessment.
Is this covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your specific policy. We offer direct billing with select insurance providers — reach out and we'll help confirm your child's eligibility.
Ready to get a clear picture?
Book an initial assessment and we'll give you an honest read on where your child is at — and a plan if one is needed.
📍 557 Bukit Timah Road, #02-03, Crown Centre, Singapore 269694 · 📞 +65 8836 8526
Meet Our Paediatric Physiotherapist
Ahmad Iqbal Bin Kamari, a paediatric physiotherapy specialist, has carefully reviewed the information on this page.
Principal Paediatric Physiotherapist
- Master of Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy Practice (Monash University, Australia)
- BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy (SIT-TCD))
- FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine
- Full registration with Allied Health Professions Council, Singapore, and Health and Care Professions Council, UK
Ahmad Iqbal Bin Kamari blends high-level clinical precision with an energetic, child-centered approach to paediatric physiotherapy. Holding a Master of Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy Practice from Monash University, a BSc (Hons) from SIT-TCD, and a FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine, he brings specialist clinical training from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and Evelina London Children’s Hospital. His rich expertise spans Early Intervention, Special Education (SPED), youth sports care, and his leadership as a Special Olympics Clinical Director.
At the heart of his practice—and his teaching as an SIT faculty member—is the belief that real movement progress starts with trust. Ahmad designs every session to be a safe, warmly tailored environment where children and youth feel completely comfortable to explore, play, and challenge themselves. By meeting each young person at their level, he turns therapy into an engaging experience that builds both physical strength and lasting confidence under his care.
- Early Intervention
- Special Education (SPED)
- Youth Sports & Adapted Athletic Care