Rachel M. Toovey is a Pediatric Neurologist based in Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Rachel looks after babies, kids, and teenagers who are dealing with nervous system conditions. This can include changes in movement, muscle tone, and how a child reaches developmental milestones. When it comes to cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia (infantile type), the focus is on understanding what is happening and putting a clear plan in place for day-to-day life.
In many cases, families come in with worries about stiffness, tight muscles, delayed walking, or trouble with balance. Sometimes parents and carers have also noticed that the child’s legs feel different from what you’d expect at their age. Rachel helps sort through those concerns, checks how the child moves, and looks at the bigger picture of development. It’s not just about one symptom, because these conditions can affect more than movement alone.
Care for cerebral palsy often needs a practical approach. Rachel works with families to understand goals that matter, like easier standing, safer walking, better comfort, and support for daily routines at school or home. Over time, treatment might involve coordinating with allied health and other medical services, so everyone is working toward the same targets.
Spastic diplegia (infantile type) can be complex, and there is no one “quick fix.” Rachel takes time to explain what she sees in plain language. She helps families understand options and what to expect, including how different supports may help muscle tone and mobility. At times, that can also mean talking through things like therapy choices, how to manage comfort, and how to make the home and school set-up easier.
Kids grow quickly, so plans often need tweaking as they get older. Rachel is there for those changes too—reviewing progress, adjusting goals, and making sure the care plan stays realistic for the child and the family. The aim is to support confidence and function, not just to manage symptoms.
Rachel’s clinic in Parkville is set up for children who need careful, calm assessment. If you’re looking for a paediatric neurologist for movement and development concerns linked to cerebral palsy or spastic diplegia, Rachel can help guide the next steps.
