Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

Specialized Care for Children From 6 Months to 17 Years
If you're reading this now, there is a chance you might be a parent or guardian seeking rehabilitation for a child you love a great deal. Please know that while we can only offer words and information on this site, the range of care actually provided through the Pediatric Rehabilitation Program, the people who provide it and the very special commitment and passion they bring to their work can make a difference in that child's current health as well as in her or his ongoing quality of life. The comprehensive resources of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Program are directed toward the goal of achieving the highest levels of physical, cognitive and social function possible. The program is founded on the idea that children are not little adults.
They generally have less predictable patterns of recovery and a far greater need for flexibility in their care. In addition, they often require a higher level of advocacy on the part of the physician, nurses, therapists and other providers who care for them. As a result, the multidisciplinary care teams that work with children at the Rehabilitation Center don't simply scale down equipment and adapt adult rehab experiences and approaches. Instead, they develop highly individualistic care plans for each child with treatment that's focused on individual needs. And they work closely with the child's parents, guardians or other care-givers to encourage and support the close family involvement that is absolutely critical in pediatric rehabilitation to assure a smooth transition from hospital to home and school environment.
Pediatric Rehabilitation Overview
After an intensive clinical evaluation to create an individualized plan of treatment, children will be participating in a minimum of three hours of rehabilitation therapy each six days per week, learning skills in cognition, communication, continence, mobility and self-care, specific to each child's needs and goals. Team conferences, often with family participation, are held frequently to review the patient's progress and needs.
For school age children, tutors are provided at the hospital and, when appropriate, children are transported to a school classroom. Psychologists, speech pathologists and other necessary specialists work closely with the child and family to assist with development of the child's IEP (Individual Education Plan). At discharge, we help the child transition to outpatient therapy or a day treatment program. We make sure that your child's functional goals are customized to maximize long-term potential.
Care for a Full Range of Diagnoses and Conditions
Through a complete continuum of inpatient and outpatient care, the Rehabilitation Center offers individualized pediatric rehabilitation programs for patients with the following conditions:
- Traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Encephalopathy
- Multi-skeletal trauma
- Feeding disorders
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Neurological disorders and stroke
- Amputation
- Ventilator dependency
- Arthritis and related connective tissues disorders
- Spina Bifida
- Orthopedic concerns and other medical conditions which can limit functional independence
Pediatric rehabilitation services and facilities are housed in a specialized unit, separated from adult rehabilitation areas, and feature a setting that is secure, comfortable and comforting for children and families.
Specialized Pediatric Rehabilitation Features:
- A Medical Director board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- A physiatrist and pediatrician on site and on call 24 hours a day
- Pediatric rehabilitation case management
- Pediatric occupational and physical therapists
- Pediatric speech pathologist
- Pediatric social worker
- Pediatric psychologist
- Therapeutic play and recreation
- Animal-assisted therapy (therapy dogs)
- Orthotic and prosthetic services
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit within SCVMC