Pediatric rehabilitation
When your child is facing certain physical or developmental challenges from an illness, injury, disorder or other condition, rehabilitation can be an important component in their growth and recovery.
At Edward-Elmhurst Health, we want to help your child reach his or her maximum potential and live life to the fullest. We provide a range of pediatric rehabilitation services personalized to your child’s individual needs — on a schedule that works for you, including before and after school appointments.
Pediatric rehabilitation team
Children of all ages — from birth through adolescence — benefit from the encouragement and expertise of our pediatric rehabilitation team, which includes licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists.
To reach the rehabilitation team at Edward Hospital, please call 630-527-3375.
To reach the rehabilitation team at Elmhurst Hospital, please call 331-221-5840.
Conditions we treat
Our pediatric rehabilitation team has expertise in the following conditions:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Articulation/phonological disorders
- Brachial plexus injuries
- Brain injury
- Cerebral palsy
- Congenital anomalies
- Developmental delays or abnormalities
- Difficulties due to prematurity
- Down syndrome
- Fine motor delay
- Gait difficulties
- Hypotonia (decreased muscle tone)
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
- Motor disorders (apraxia)
- Neurological disorders
- Oral motor dysfunction
- Orthopedic conditions
- Pervasive developmental disorder
- Spina bifida
- Seizure disorders
- Sensory processing disorder
- Speech and language delays/disorders
- Swallowing disorders/feeding impairments
- Torticollis (twisted neck)
- Upper extremity injury
- Voice disorders and stuttering
Pediatric rehabilitation services
Edward-Elmhurst Rehabilitation offers pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy for children ages birth to 18. Our pediatric rehabilitation therapists collaborate with families to promote development and implement an individualized intervention program for the child. We believe that parents and families have the primary role in their child’s development. Families are supported through coordination of services, advocacy, and the development of strategies to enhance the development of their child.
What makes us different?
- Dedicated one-on-one treatments with the same therapist
- Each session personalized to your child’s individual needs
- All treatments provided by a licensed therapist
- All three services offered at our Naperville Dynacom and North Plainfield Locations, and speech therapy at our Seven Bridges location in Woodridge
- Free screenings available for PT, OT and ST (prescription required for full evaluation)
- Flexible scheduling to meet the individual needs of each family
- Our therapists:
- Focus on improving your child’s function in their environment at home, school and in the community
- Provide services for families waiting for early intervention services
- Coordinate care with school therapists to meet children’s needs outside the classroom
- Address the functional needs of children who do not qualify for school based services
We’ll begin with a thorough evaluation and assessment specific to your family's and referring physician’s concerns. If there is an indication for continued therapy services, we will discuss a plan of care with you. The plan will include: recommended frequency of treatment, estimated duration, and a general outline of treatment strategies matching the individual needs and preferences of the child and family.
Based on findings at the initial evaluation, your child will then be scheduled for follow up visits with the evaluating therapist. We’ll work with you to develop your child’s rehabilitation plan, which may include one or more the following:
Physical therapy improves strength and flexibility, restores functioning, and treats a variety of pediatric and developmental issues. Our skilled physical therapists will get your child on the road to recovery using a fun, kid-friendly approach.
Pediatric physical therapists promote independence with functional mobility through facilitation of motor development and function, improved strength and endurance, enhanced learning opportunities, and easing challenges of daily routines through adaptation.
Children with the following conditions may benefit from physical therapy:
- Atypical development or delayed milestones
- Torticollis
- Plagiocephaly
- Toe walking
- Poor balance or coordination
- Scoliosis
- Post casting/surgery for fractures
- Cerebral palsy
- Obesity
- Traumatic brain injury
- JRA
- Muscular dystrophy
- Down syndrome
- Congenital deformity/amputation
- Genetic abnormalities
- Brachial plexus injury
Treatment consists of hands-on, manual-based therapy, as well as exercises for strength and stability — all based on your child’s unique needs. For example, we assist infants in motor patterns they can build upon for smooth movement as their bodies grow.
Our goal is to help your child function independently and actively participate at home, school and in their community.
Occupational therapy addresses physical and developmental impairments to help children master daily life skills. Our experienced occupational therapists will work with your child to help him or her succeed in the important areas of his or her life.
Pediatric occupational therapists provide interventions for assisting children with life skills which are essential for independence in multiple environments. Pediatric occupational therapists help children develop the necessary skills for participation in age appropriate function at home, school and within their community.
Children who have issues with the following may benefit from occupational therapy:
- Sensory integration/processing
- Self/emotional regulation
- Fine motor/developmental delay
- Sensory feeding/picky eating
- Upper extremity delays
- Attention deficits
- Visual motor/perceptual deficits
- Handwriting
- Self-care
- Coordination and body awareness
Treatment includes therapies to address range of motion, strengthening and coordination. We provide early intervention services, help facilitate success in school, and promote a healthy lifestyle. We also specialize in the use of multimodal techniques to improve sensory modulation and processing.
For children, proper development of speech and language skills is essential to learning, exploring their environment, interacting with others and communicating their needs. Proper nutrition is critical to brain development and overall growth.
Pediatric speech-language pathologists provide interventions to facilitate understanding of written and spoken language, effectively and efficiently expressing oneself, and using language in social situations. They guide thinking, reasoning and motor skills during play, and promote the development of positive self-image through skills such as feeding and task completion. Pediatric speech language pathologists also specialize in infant feeding, providing strategies to keep your little ones safe and healthy while learning to bottle or breast feed.
Children who have issues with the following may benefit from speech therapy:
- Speech sound disorders
- Expressive and receptive language disorders;
- Speech delay
- Oral motor deficits
- Improper tongue placement
- Infant feeding deficits
- Sensory feeding
- Apraxia
- AAC
- Auditory processing
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down’s syndrome
- TBI
- Failure to thrive
- Infants swallowing/feeding
- Articulation/language/fluency disorders
- Social skills/pragmatics
Speech-language pathology gives children the tools to communicate effectively, and addresses feeding and swallowing difficulties. Our expert speech-language pathologists will help your child use sounds and words to communicate with others, be understood when speaking and understand others, and successfully swallow a variety of foods.
Our treatment rooms are specially designed for children and offer an observation area with headsets and one-way mirrors. We also provide follow-up therapy to babies who’ve been in the NICU.
Our goal is to have the same therapist work with your child throughout the length of treatment. When multiple types of therapy are needed, we’ll collaborate to integrate care. We also work closely with your child’s teachers, school therapists and doctors to coordinate sessions and address your child's unique needs. We’ll partner with you and offer education and support so you can apply techniques at home.
You will also be educated on therapeutic strategies to support your child in the home throughout the course of therapy. As your child improves and has met or made adequate progress towards goals, as determined by you and the therapist, they will be discharged to continue with their home exercise program.
Pediatric rehabilitation resources
Here are some helpful resources about pediatric rehabilitation for parents:
Children's services locations