Is it ever ‘too late’ to seek intervention or start physiotherapy?

Once, I had a parent ask me if it were too late or too early to start therapy. They had gotten on a phone call with me to enquire about physiotherapy for their 3 month old son who had low muscle tone.

And as I explained, I found myself saying this, “it’s never too late or too early, whenever you decide to seek out intervention or come to see me, it’s always on time.”

I’d admit that I surprised myself when those words left my lips. You see, as a physiotherapist who specialised in early-early intervention, that is, weeks and sometimes days after birth from when I was working in the NICU, I’ve seen first-hand how receiving intervention early impacts future growth and development. 

But let’s be real, life happens and things pan out in so many different ways. Not all families can get access to intervention and resources in the way we hope they do. 

What these families need is not judgment or feeling that “they are behind” or “late to the game”. What they need is hope and empathy. They don't need doubt and fear - there’s more than enough of that going around. What they need is encouragement and affirmation that they are the best parents for their child, because they are! And that as a therapist, I’ll be here when they are ready to receive help and intervention. 

In a world where everything is hustling-bustling and whizzing by, let’s show others and ourselves a little more grace. 

So to the parents and families reading this, to whoever might need to hear it today, know this: 

Where you are right now, you’re right on time. And Tiny and Mighty is here to partner along with you on this journey, to do the brave and hard things together.