Pediatric rehabilitation at Studer Family Children’s Hospital
Experienced pediatric therapists at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart provide specialized physical, occupational and speech therapy for children and teens. Pediatric rehabilitation is designed to help improve the abilities of children when development is interrupted by an injury, illness or a disability. Each appointment starts with a conversation with you and your child. Tell us your concerns and ask us your questions. By getting to know your child and family, we create a personalized care plan. Together, you and your child’s care team set short-term and long-term goals for your child.
Pediatric therapy at Studer Family Children's Hospital includes feeding therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.
Pediatric therapy at Studer Family Children’s Hospital
Here, your child and family are connected to a wide range of pediatric therapy services, including:
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Feeding therapy
Speech therapists at Studer Family Children’s Hospital have the expertise to diagnose and treat feeding difficulties in infants and children. We listen to your concerns and evaluate your child to find the cause of your child’s feeding difficulties. Feeding difficulties may be caused by an oral aversion, food aversions, difficulty swallowing, picky eating or other causes. Your child’s speech therapist will then work with you to create a care plan that’s right for your child and family.
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Speech therapy
Our speech therapists specialize in diagnosing and treating children with speech, language and swallowing disorders, such as:
- Apraxia (difficulty with lip, jaw and tongue movement)
- Articulation
- Cleft lip and cleft palate
- Dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
- Lisping
- Speech delays
- Stuttering
Children may work with a speech therapist once a week or a few times a week. How often your child goes to speech therapy depends on their specific needs and if they are seeing a speech therapist at school. Your child’s speech therapist works to increase your child’s ability to meet their own needs, such as making requests and commenting on their surroundings, understanding simple directions and questions, and speaking clearly in order to be understood by others. We also set goals that help increase your child’s confidence while communicating.
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Physical therapy
Pediatric physical therapists at Studer Family Children’s Hospital specialize in helping children improve their gross motor skills, which include posture, core strength, balance, gait, and coordination. We provide therapy for children with injuries and conditions such as:
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays
- Down syndrome
- Foot deformities
- Muscular dystrophy
- Muscle stiffness and contractures
- Orthopedic injuries
- Prematurity
- Spina bifida
- Stroke
- Torticollis and plagiocephaly
Your child will meet with their physical therapist weekly or a few times a week, depending on their needs. By using personalized stretches and exercises, we help improve your child’s mobility and independence.
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Pediatric occupational therapy
Your child’s occupational therapist helps your child become more independent in their daily activities. They assess your child’s fine motor skills, balance, coordination, visual motor and perception skills, attention, sensory processing and more. They also identify areas for improvement in skills such as writing, cutting, dressing, grooming, feeding, play and more.
Pediatric occupational therapists provide therapy for children with conditions such as:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Behavioral concerns
- Birth anomalies
- Brachial plexus injury
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delay
- Post-surgery recovery
- Sensory processing disorders
- Social skills at school, play and in the community
- Spina bifida
- Stroke
Specialized equipment fittings
If your child needs specialized equipment such as a wheelchair or safe bathing equipment, we can help make recommendations for the right device. Our physical and occupational therapists will evaluate your child to provide equipment that fits their needs. Then, we help teach your child and family how to properly use these devices. Our goal is to support your child’s development and help your child gain independence.