Our goal for your therapy is to maximize your functional capabilities. Our professionals in a number of rehabilitative therapies are trained to identify factors contributing to your functional limitations and to develop treatment programs designed to enhance your ability to function in appropriate environments.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists help people restore and maintain optimal physical function. Our physical therapists use examination and treatment to help people improve their ability to perform their daily activities. Physical therapists provide services to assist people in preventing injury and illness, or worsening an existing injury.
Occupational Therapy
Our occupational therapists help people to develop or regain skills that are important for independent living. Occupational therapy can prevent injury or the worsening of existing conditions or disabilities and it promotes independent functioning in individuals who may otherwise require institutionalization or other long-term care.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Our pulmonary rehab therapists help people with chronic lung disease in regaining their strength and muscle function. Our staff includes physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, a dietitian, and a social worker. The staff works with each person to help achieve individual goals.
Music Therapy
Music therapists address the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, or spiritual needs of patients of all ages and diagnoses. They may focus on:
- Singing a lullaby or favorite song to build the bond between parent and infant
- Using active music play to normalize the hospital for young children
- Writing songs to express feelings about illness and hospitalization
- Teaching harmonica to promote deep breathing and pulmonary function
- Playing sedative music to promote decreased heart and respiratory rates
- Teaching music relaxation techniques to decrease pain and anxiety
- Using familiar songs to provide comfort and support at end of life
Recreation Therapy
Our certified therapeutic recreation specialists play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for their patients. They promote developing new skills, creating feelings of well-being, fostering successful experiences and establishing new life activities.
Child Life Specialists
Child life specialists seek to promote the continuation of normal childhood activity and development while children are in the hospital. They will focus on:
- Normalizing the environment
- Providing opportunities for socialization
- Offering various forms of play
- Encouraging expression of feelings
- Involving family members
- Facilitating coping and positive adjustment
Educational Services
Our Educational Services specialists provide education and clinical speech and languages services to patients of the child and adolescent psychiatry service. They also offer a tutoring service for school-age children involved in extended care at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.