Similar to the hospital’s highly acclaimed pediatric acute rehabilitation program—of which this new program is now a part—these younger patients being admitted to Totally Kids may include, but not be limited to, those with neurological illness and injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopaedic injuries, burns, traumas, and late effects of cancer treatment.

To serve these young children, Totally Kids has created a special unit on its all-children campus and has assembled a multidisciplinary staff that is highly trained to work with children of this age who require acute rehabilitation and special medical care. Upon admission to the program, this team evaluates and assesses the child’s neurological status, functional status, developmental levels, and nursing and medical challenges and then develops a customized rehabilitation program that focuses on the child’s medical, physical, cognitive and psychosocial needs.

“Our program speeds up the development and healing of these children by focusing on multiple areas of need including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy, respiratory therapy and child development,” says Thaddeus Wilson, M.D., director of the new program at Totally Kids. “Unless areas of need are treated in a timely manner, children may not be able to recover and/or achieve important developmental milestones that are crucial at that time in their lives.”

Totally Kids’ clinical staff is supported by many of the same cutting-edge technologies found at the nation’s most sophisticated pediatric rehabilitation facilities. Doing so helps to ensure that each child reaches the age-appropriate developmental milestones that give them the best chance to return home, live normal lives and minimize long-term effects. As part of its philosophy, Totally Kids emphasizes the critical role families play in the daily therapeutic play activities. Family training is integral to the Totally Kids care model.

“Our goal is to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and timely care in an atmosphere that promotes respect and compassion for the patient and family,” says Dr. Wilson. “We are especially proud of the fact that the care provided in Totally Kids’ acute rehabilitation program consistently surpasses industry standards for clinical outcomes and shorter time required from admission to discharge. Simply put, children can get back home and back to being kids faster and with better outcomes when they are cared for in our child-focused setting—which is why we are so delighted to now be able to offer this new program for these younger children.”

Serving children and their families for nearly 50 years, Totally Kids is regarded as a national leader in providing personalized rehabilitation and habilitation services for children with a family-centered emphasis. Totally Kids offers a full array of resources for children who are recovering from physical trauma or surgery or have suffered catastrophic illness and those dependent on technology through a portfolio of acclaimed programs and services that includes acute pediatric rehabilitation (both inpatient and outpatient), subacute, pediatric day health and intermediate care. Find out more about Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital at TotallyKids.com, or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/totallykidsrehab.

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