Our previous Australian-based partner Serkel went into receivership at the end of December 2023. We are excited to be continuing to provide helmet therapy now through global partner Talee.

Helmet Therapy

For our Helmet Therapy, we use a custom-designed helmet, to facilitate specific growth of the shape of a baby’s head to improve cosmetic outcomes. The helmet is made specifically for each child, is worn for 23 hours a day, and relies on circumferential growth of the head. We gather information from our assessment, and 3D white-light scan of their head and provide parents with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding Helmet Therapy for their child.

Does my child need Helmet Therapy?

We understand that helmet therapy can be a confusing and anxious decision for parents. Therefore, we aim to provide parents with as much information, and compassion as possible to enable them to decide whether helmet therapy would be beneficial for their baby. Whether your child will require helmet therapy is dependent on their presentation and severity. We now offer scanning appointments for younger babies to allow you to track head progression with other therapies before your baby is of age for helmet therapy.

What is the best age for helmet therapy? 

The best age to start helmet therapy is between 4-7months old as this captures a greater circumferential growth and therefore a bigger change in head shape. However, helmet therapy can be successful up to the age of around 16months prior to the baby's fontanelles fusing and reduced malleability.  

What head shape does my child have?

The most common head shapes that we see here at Access Orthotics are Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly, Asymmetric Brachycephaly and Scaphocephaly.

How do I book my child in for an assessment?

For more information on cranial scans and helmet therapy please Contact Us or fill out our helmet therapy enquiry form to organize your initial assessment. If you are thinking about proceeding with helmet therapy we would also recommend you have a referral from your GP prior to your appointment.

Brachycephaly is characterised by a flattening at the back of the head or when the head is shorter than average.  

Brachycephaly

What are the risk factors for Brachycephaly? 

  • Congenital 

  • Large size at birth 

  • Breech 

  • Position in the womb 

  • Prematurity and extended time spent in neonatal units. This is due to premature babies having limited head control and their skulls being softer when they are born  

  • Occasionally it can be caused by a condition called craniosynostosis where the plates of the skull join together too early 

  • Babies who are on their backs for extended periods of time  

  • Reduced tummy time  

  • Good sleepers who sleep for extended periods 

  • Low muscle tone  

Other symptoms which your child might display are: 

  • Bossing at the forehead 

  • Head shape that is wider than longer 

  • The crown of the head sits high 

  • Protrusion of the ears and/or of the bone above the ears 

Brachycephaly can be categorised into two types: 

  • Asymmetrical deformational brachycephaly (ADB) 

  • Symmetrical deformational brachycephaly (SDB)  

ADB is characterised by Brachycephaly combined with Plagiocephaly.  

Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly is characterised by a one-sided flattening on one side of the back of the head.

What are the risk factors for Plagiocephaly? 

  • Preferred sleeping position – with more babies sleeping on their backs due to SIDS this has increased the incidence of head shape asymmetry  

  • Position in the womb or during birth 

  • Prematurity and extended time spent in neonatal units. This is due to premature babies having limited head control and their skulls being softer when they are born  

  • Occasionally it can be caused by a condition called craniosynostosis where the plates of the skull join together too early  

Other symptoms which your child might display are: 

  • Facial asymmetry 

  • Flattening of the forefoot diagonally from the flattening on the back 

  • Shifting of the ears  

  • Eye orbit asymmetry  

  • Bossing of the forehead or at the back of the head 

  • Parallelogram shaped head 

Scaphocephaly

Scaphocephaly is characterised by a head shape that is narrow and long. 

What are the risk factors for Scaphocephaly? 

  • Premature babies who have spent time in neonatal care  

  • Craniosynostosis  

Other symptoms which your child might display are: 

  • Bossing at the forehead 

  • Flattening on the sides of the head 

  • Height of the head is higher than average  

Craniosynostosis is when there is premature closure of one or more of the sutures in the skull either in the womb or after delivery. Some of the different types of craniosynostosis include sagittal. coronal, metopic and lampdoid. If you are concerned about this we would recommend speaking to your GP, paediatrician, paediatric neurosurgeon or craniofacial specialist for further evaluation.   

Craniosynostosis

Torticollis

Torticollis is when there is twisting of the neck and is derived from the latin “tortus” meaning twisted and “collum” meaning neck.  

What are the risk factors for Torticollis? 

  • Positioning in the womb 

  • Damage to muscles in the neck during birth 

Other symptoms which your child might display are: 

  • Plagiocephaly 

  • Tight muscles in the neck  

  • Head tilting to one side  

  • Reduced head movements  

Cranial Developmental Scans

Option pre-helmet therapy

Here at Access Orthotics, we utilise the latest 3D technology to take a scan of your child's head using a white-light scanner. This allows us to objectively and repeatably assess their head shape and monitor how the head shape is progressing. This can be a useful tool for other health professionals to accurately see how your child is progressing as well as accurately measure plagiocephaly/brachycephaly outcomes.

What will happen at my initial appointment?

At your initial appointment, one of our experienced orthotic clinicians will answer any questions you may have on your baby's head shape and provide you with evidence-based information on treatment pathways for your baby's head. Our orthotists will carry out an assessment which will include looking at their previous medical history, a visual subjective assessment and objectively measuring their head shape utilising a white light scanner. Following the initial appointment, you and other health professionals involved in your care will receive a report detailing the results of the scan to enable you to make informed decisions on your child’s head shape.

How do I book my child in for an assessment?

For more information on cranial scans and helmet therapy please Contact Us or fill out our helmet therapy enquiry form to organize your initial assessment. If you are thinking about proceeding with helmet therapy we would also recommend you have a referral from your GP prior to your appointment.

Helmet Therapy Pricelist

Initial Consultation and 3D cranial scan - $288.00

Comprehensive assessment and patient history. 3D scan and Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) calculated. Education and treatment options provided. Consultation charge paid on the day.

Review Consultations - $165.00

Review of intervention outcomes. 3D scan and Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) calculated. Adjustments to the helmet if required. Treatment options reviewed. Consultation charge paid on the day.

3D printed Serkel Helmet and liner - $2080.00

3D printed helmet, clinically modelled in a choice of colours with 4 bamboo material liners. 90% paid at assessment. Remaining 10% balance paid at the fitting appointment.

Fitting Consultation - $165.00

First fit of helmet, adjustments if required, padding and straps. Education on integration and use. Consultation charge paid on the day.

Additional Liners - $55.00

3 liners provided. Additional can be ordered on request.

Intervention Outcomes Report - $200.00

Formal report stating initial CVAI recorded – scan images – cranial helmet design – treatment plan and outcome measures can be supplied on request.

Additional Helmet costs - $1800.00

In rare severe cases a second helmet is required to continue treatment. This cost is in addition to appointment costs.