Our Care and Services

We want to be your partner in your child’s care. Our expert team works with children and their loved ones to make a care plan that fits their unique needs.

Our licensed and experienced therapists treat children with:

• Cerebral palsy
• Complex medical conditions
• Complications from cancer
• Multiple traumas and injuries
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Orthopaedic conditions
• Pulmonary diseases
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries, both traumatic and non-traumatic

Criteria for Admission

Inpatient rehabilitation may be right for your child if an injury, illness or physical disability is causing changes in their:

• Physical function
• Ability to move
• Thinking
• Behavior
• Personal independence

To be admitted, a physiatrist (a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation) approves that your child meets all of the following criteria:

• They can participate in about 15 hours of therapy a week.
• They need two or more types of therapy, such as physical, speech or occupational.
• They need 24-hour medical care with daily physician oversight.
• They can improve their physical function abilities based on the rehabilitation goals their therapy team sets.

Your Child’s Care Team

Our team has a lot of experience caring for children. We work closely with other facilities and specialists at Northwestern Medicine so your child has access to advanced treatments.

Your child’s care team may include:

• A physiatrist who is board-certified in pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation
• A resident physician (a physician who is completing training after medical school)
• Advanced practice registered nurse
• Rehabilitation registered nurse
• Occupational therapist
• Physical therapist
• Speech-language pathologist
• Case manager
• Psychologist
• Pharmacist
• Respiratory therapist
• Chaplain
• Dietitian

Treatment Plan

We will work with you and your child to set their goals. The plan may include:

• Daily physiatrist visits and guidance.
• Regular visits with a neuropsychologist to monitor your child’s progress and update their treatment as needed.
• A personalized plan from your child’s physical therapist to help them move, get stronger and reduce pain.
• Devices to help your child move during therapy.
• Occupational therapy to help your child perform everyday activities, like dressing and hygiene, while increasing their range of motion, coordination and cognition.
• Swallowing and speech therapy
• Pain management.
• Emotional support and spiritual counseling for you and your family, including academic resources to help your child return to school.

Patient and Family Education

Education is a key part of your child’s care. Their nurses and therapists will:

• Teach you how to help manage your child’s medical condition and any potential related health issues.
• Help you and your family overcome challenges, such as those related to your child’s self-care or everyday activities.
• Share tools and techniques to address the psychological and emotional difficulties that may occur as your child adjusts to life after an injury, illness or diagnosis.

Learn more about Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.