The JFK Johnson Pediatric Rehabilitation Department offers individual and group therapies. Our staff of more than 50 multidisciplinary professionals offers a program for virtually any therapeutic need. From evaluation to family counseling, our team of specialists can help your child lead a healthy, fulfilling life.
Pediatric experts provide therapy in the following areas of specialization.
Physical Therapy
| Aquatics: Therapeutic principles of water, including buoyancy for resistance or assistance, decreased weight bearing, warmth, hydrostatic pressure and increased response time, are used to enhance a therapeutic program with goals related to decreasing spasticity (relaxation of muscles), increasing strength and range of motion after surgery or improving active movement in progressive or neuromuscular disorders. |
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Orthopedics:
Children with a variety of orthopedic disorders, such as those of infants with torticollis, multiple congenital anomalies, and orthopedic deformities as a result of neuromuscular disorders, as well as fractures, strains and sprains, receive therapy in order to enhance their functional skills or return to pre-injury status. Parent and child education help to prevent further deformities or injury.
Adolescent Sports Injuries: Young athletes and children are provided therapy services emphasizing home exercises and proper techniques in order to return to sports and play after orthopedic injuries or surgeries. Progressive resistive exercises for strengthening, stretching exercises for flexibility, postural awareness and education, modalities, taping, injury prevention strategies and community activities are used to prepare the child for return to activity.
Balance and Vestibular Therapy: Balance training and the use of therapeutic exercise to stimulate the inner ear to improve balance and any related symptoms of dizziness, "spinning" or nausea.
Speech/Language/Feeding Therapy
Pediatric speech pathologists provide individual therapeutic intervention to children with a variety of speech and language problems. These include children with apraxia, dysarthria, articulation/phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, auditory processing disorders, fluency and voice disorders, as well as hearing impairment.
Our therapists incorporate a variety of techniques and approaches to cater to each child's needs. We use a total communication approach to help children learn to communicate.
Our facility also offers alternative/augmentative modes of communication when needed. We have computer-based applications to facilitate all areas of speech and language development.
Our speech pathologists also work with children who have oral motor-feeding problems, which may be related to structural, sensory, medical or behavioral issues. Oral motor techniques, positioning and appropriate feeding apparatus are all incorporated into the child's session.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy helps children experiencing fine motor difficulties with manipulation of objects or handwriting, motor coordination, activities of daily living/self help skills, sensory integration, organization, and impulse control. Children can be seen either individually or in groups. Depending on areas of concern, therapy strategies may include activities to strengthen the upper body, sensorimotor-based activities, feeding activities, computer applications and splinting for positioning and improving function.
Psychology/Social Work
Psychologists and clinical social workers provide therapeutic intervention services for children and families with a wide range of medical, developmental, behavioral and emotional needs. Children are seen either individually or in groups depending on their specific needs. A variety of treatment approaches are used and include:
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Play Therapy, which offers young children the opportunity to explore and express emotions in comfortable non-threatening milieu. Play therapy may be especially useful for children with limited verbal skills or for children who are not accessible by traditional "talk therapy."
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Behavioral Therapy: Parents and children benefit from sessions designed to assist parents in becoming more effective in managing their child's behavior. Children benefit from learning new, more effective strategies for controlling their emotions and behavior.
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Psychotherapy helps children to improve their self esteem, self awareness and ability to identify and manage emotions. Psychotherapy is especially important in assisting children with disabilities and chronic and acute illnesses in coping with the stresses inherent in their medical conditions.
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