Why Starting With a GP Can Help Clarify the Next Step: Real Examples of Holistic Care for Kids and Families
When something doesn’t feel right with your baby or child, you might be wondering where to begin — should you see a speechie? A physio? An OT? Or a GP?
The truth is, there’s no single right answer for every family — but seeing a GP often helps bring clarity to the situation early on, especially when symptoms overlap or more than one area of concern is present.
Here’s how GPs can support the process of understanding what’s going on — with a few real-life examples that show the bigger picture.
1. They look at the whole child — not just one concern
Let’s say your baby isn’t rolling yet. A physiotherapist can help support movement, but your GP will consider a wider range of possibilities:
- Is it a developmental delay?
- A muscle tone issue?
- A nutritional or neurological factor?
- Or simply a normal variation in timing?
They’ll ask about feeding, sleep, body movement, and birth history — and help rule out medical causes before you head into targeted therapy. This can help make your allied health appointments more effective, or help you decide where to go first.
2. They can help spot what others might not be looking for
You might bring your toddler in for constipation — and yes, your child may need help from a dietitian or continence OT. But a GP may also notice that:
- Mum is feeling highly anxious about accidents
- The child is fearful of using the toilet
- There’s tension at home around toileting
By supporting both the child and the parent, and understanding family dynamics, a GP can help piece together a more complete picture — and recommend care that treats the whole situation, not just one symptom.
3. They help rule out red flags
You might be concerned that your toddler isn’t talking. But rather than heading straight to speech therapy, a GP might first ask about hearing history, ear infections, feeding development, and social engagement.
One parent brought in an 18-month-old with delayed speech. After checking for fluid behind the ears, the GP referred for a hearing test — and sure enough, the child needed grommets. Once hearing improved, speech followed naturally.
Early signs can look similar across different causes. Having a medical lens at the start can help avoid delays or misdirected therapy.
4. They connect the dots when things don’t add up
Sometimes families come in with a concern that seems straightforward — but the underlying cause turns out to be more complex.
Take a toddler who’s constantly tripping and bumping into things. It might look like a balance issue or a motor delay. But the GP asks more questions — about sleep, attention, and emotional regulation — and begins to notice signs of sensory sensitivity and difficulty processing movement or noise.
Rather than just referring to a physio, the GP might recommend a developmental assessment or refer to both OT and paediatrics, ensuring that what’s actually going on gets addressed.
It’s this ability to zoom out and look at the full picture that allows GPs to guide families toward the support that will have the greatest long-term impact.
5. They guide the next steps and support the process
You don’t need to figure out where to go first. GPs can help you decide whether it’s time to see a physio, paediatrician, speechie, or another specialist — and when. They can refer you, coordinate care plans, and help access Medicare rebates or NDIS pathways if appropriate.
Final Word
Whether you’re concerned about a specific symptom or just have a feeling something’s not quite right, it’s okay to feel unsure about where to start. GPs and allied health providers each bring something different — one doesn’t replace the other. but when a GP is part of the process early on, care tends to be clearer, more connected, and better supported.
At Baby Steps, our GPs work closely with allied health providers every day. They take the time to get to know your child and your family — and help piece together the puzzle so that care plans make sense, nothing important is missed, and the right support is put in place.
You can book with a GP, an allied health provider, or both at Baby Steps Health Centre. If you’re not sure, start with a GP and they’ll help guide you from there.
