Paediatric Rehabilitation

The goal of Paediatric Rehabilitation is to limit the physiological and psychological effects of cerebral palsy or other childhood illness, and to improve overall mobility and abilities to perform activities of daily living. This is accomplished by a comprehensive evaluation by rehabilitation medicine specialist (physiatrist) of each child's condition, abilities and special needs followed by individualised programs tailored to individual needs and abilities.

Who requires Paediatric rehabilitation?

Children with the following cardiac diseases require paediatric rehabilitation:

• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental and learning disabilities
• Hypoxic encephalopathy
• Autism
• Muscle diseases
• Genetic disorders
• Spina bifida

What are the facilities for Paediatric Rehabilitation at Kokilaben Hospital?

Kokilaben Hospital has a dedicated pediatric rehab facility with instrumented 3D gait and motion analysis, neuro-developmental therapy, multi-sensory integration, cognitive retraining, activities of daily living training, speech and swallowing therapy and behavior therapy.

Types of Paediatric Rehabilitation Programs

Neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) program
The NDT program offer comprehensive services for children with developmental delay consisting of neuro-physiological approaches to hasten recovery of normal movement patterns and reduce detrimental effects of abnormal muscle tone and postural reflexes. This consists of exercises, balance and proprioceptive activities along with use of medications and splints to reduce the abnormal muscle tone.

Spasticity management and ambulation program
This aims to reduce the detrimental effects of abnormal tone due to spasticity or dystonia. This consists of a stepped care approach beginning with simpler physical modalities to additional of pharmacotherapy, splinting, seating devices, corrective casting and surgery, local botulinum toxin or intrathecal baclofen pump. The ambulation program is directed towards children with the potential to ambulate, but in whom spasticity and contractures are interfering with self ambulation. This consist of a co-ordinated program of gait and motion analysis, spasticity reduction, corrective surgery, orthotic usage followed by goal directed balance and gait training.

Multi-sensory integration program
This program is based on the principle that children with special needs have a deficient sensory processing which can be improved by a co-ordinated program consisting of delivery of multiple sensory stimuli to the brain in the form of proprioceptive, kinesthetic, vestibular, visual and auditory signals.

Autism and learning disabilities program
This program caters to the needs of special children who have difficulty in learning and performing higher tasks. This consists of goal directed training with special emphasis on self performance of activities of daily living and cognitive retraining. Pharmacotherapy might be added for children with attention deficit and hyperkinetic behaviour.

The Paediatric Rehabilitation Team
A multi-disciplinary team of physiatrists, paediatricians, child psychiatrists, orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, nurses, psychologists, speech and swallowing therapists and nutritionists provide integrated services.

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