Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Our occupational therapists empower children of all ages and abilities to achieve independence by teaching them practical skills and using specialized equipment. Through personalized evaluations, we understand each child’s unique needs and develop tailored plans to improve daily activities like grooming, dressing, and preparing for school or work. By building these foundational skills, we help children participate fully in the activities they love and prepare them for a more independent future.
At Scottish Rite for Children we see patients in a variety of settings from birth to age 18. This includes scheduled outpatient visits following injury or surgery, in clinic in coordination with a referring provide visit, and during inpatient stays at the hospital when needed.
TYPES OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Orthopedic Occupational Therapy
What are the benefits of Orthopedic Occupational Therapy?
Our therapists have expertise in pediatric development as well as the conditions and diagnoses listed below in order to meet the unique needs of each child. We provide the most up-to-date and evidence-based practice to help you and your child meet your goals and return to all of your child’s desired activities. Treatments focus on the skills that your child needs to achieve optimal success and independence at home and in the community based on the unique need of each child.
Our occupational therapy team can help develop the functional skills needed to participate in daily activities. Additionally, OTs can help you and your child explore adaptive devices, equipment, and techniques that may help your child achieve their maximum potential.
Our therapists work with our orthopedic, neurologic, developmental disabilities, rheumatology, and metabolic physicians and nurses to provide the highest quality care for our patients. We also work closely with other disciplines such as social work, child life, and psychology to ensure that our patients have a comprehensive care plan.
Who can benefit from Orthopedic Occupational Therapy?
At Scottish Rite, we provide treatment for children of all ages and with a wide variety of diagnoses. Our experts treat conditions like:
- Cerebral palsy
- Spina bifida
- Spinal cord injuries
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Birth defects/congenital anomalies
- Brachial Plexus Injuries
- Acute/traumatic injuries
- Amputations
- Fractures
- Loss of range of motion or muscle strength
- Arthritis
- Difficulty with performing skills at home, school, work or play
What can I expect from Orthopedic Occupational Therapy?
We provide short-term episodic care based on your child’s needs. Episodic care allows us to focus on specific, achievable goals. Our goal is to provide our patients and their caregivers with the tools they need to maximize their independence and function within the home, school, and community. We are not long-term providers; however, we love to check in on our past patients during their follow-up visits with the doctors to ensure that they are receiving adequate care.
At the initial evaluation, we will complete assessments based on your child’s needs. In addition, we will collaborate with you and your child on goals for therapy. Visit frequency is based on your child’s needs at the initial evaluation.
Specialty Services Offered
- Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
- Prosthetic Training
- Hand and upper extremity therapy
Care Coordination and Communication
Through our MyChart options, you can see your child’s schedule, utilize secure chat for questions you may have any time of day, and attend telehealth visits. MyChart is easily accessible and available to any Scottish Rite for Children patient by asking the patient access team to help set up your account. Access here
Pediatric Hand Therapy
At Scottish Rite, our hand and upper extremity therapists specialize in the treatment of pediatric injuries and diagnoses involving the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand.
What is Pediatric Hand Therapy?
What makes Pediatric Hand Therapy unique?
Why is SRC the best place for my child to receive Hand Therapy?
We have certified hand therapists and occupational therapists specializing in hand therapy. Our hand therapists work in conjunction with our hand and orthopedic surgeons, physicians and nurses to provide the highest quality of upper extremity care for our patients.
Goals for this type of therapy may include:
- Increased range of motion
- Decreased pain
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Specific skills (e.g. bathing, dressing, eating)
- Leisure skills
- Return to sports
Who benefits from Pediatric Hand Therapy?
At Scottish Rite, we provide treatment for children of all ages and with a wide variety of diagnoses. Our experts treat conditions like:
- Birth defects/congenital anomalies
- Brachial Plexus Injuries
- Acute/traumatic injuries
- Amputations
- Fractures of the upper extremity
- Sport-related injuries
- Tendon and/or Nerve Injuries of the upper extremity
- Cerebral palsy
- Spinal cord injuries
- Vascular disorders
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Soft Tissue Damage
- Acute/Chronic pain in the upper extremity
- Loss of range of motion or muscle strength
- Difficulty with performing skills at home, school, work or play
Specialty Services Offered:
- Custom splinting/orthotic fabrication
- Serial casting to improve range of motion
- Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
- Dry needling
- Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Prosthetic Training
Mobility
Our goal in our Mobility and Equipment Clinic is to take a family approach to care. We assess each child’s skill level and functional needs to determine what equipment is appropriate while taking into consideration the child’s environment and family dynamics.
Our Physical and Occupational Therapists that prescribe custom wheelchairs have undergone training and passed the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification, recognized by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). RESNA defines the ATP certification as a way to identify demonstrated competence in analyzing the needs of consumers with disabilities, assisting in the selection of appropriate assistive technology for the consumers' needs and providing training in the use of the selected devices.
Process of Obtaining Equipment:
- The patient is seen by a qualified medical provider and a referral for an equipment evaluation is obtained.
- The patient, therapist, and a complex rehab technology vendor attends the evaluation. and collaborates as a team to determine the most appropriate piece of medical equipment necessary for the patient.
- Documentation is sent to insurance for processing.
- The therapist and vendor will work to obtain insurance approval.
- For complex rehab equipment, the delivery of equipment will be performed in the presence of a therapist to ensure proper fitting and education of any and all devices.
Types of Equipment Evaluations:
- Manual wheelchairs
- Power wheelchairs
- Medical strollers
- Power assist for wheelchairs
- Walkers
- Gait trainers
- Standers
- Forearm crutches
- Scooters
- Bathing and toileting
- Medical beds
- Medical car seats
- Lift systems and other transfer equipment
- Feeding devices
Who Can Benefit?
At Scottish Rite for Children, we provide treatment for children of all ages and with a wide variety of diagnoses. Our experts treat conditions like:
- Birth defects/congenital anomalies
- Spina Bifida
- Cerebral Palsy
- Amputations
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Spinal cord injuries
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Behavioral Challenges
Inpatient Therapy Services
Scottish Rite for Children’s inpatient rehabilitation units serve children and adolescents who require intensive rehabilitation and medical management due to neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic or other medical conditions following stabilization of their acute medical issues.
What are the benefits of Inpatient Therapy Treatments?
Inpatient therapy services prepare, educate, and train you and your child for your surgery at SRC. You and your child will work closely with our inpatient occupational and physical therapists to give you confidence with your child’s activity and weight bearing restrictions, necessary equipment use, and how to perform daily activities before and after surgery. The major benefit of inpatient therapy services is to provide you and your child with confidence and understanding to recover well at home.
What can I expect during my stay?
Inpatient physical therapists can work with you and your child to assist with moving around your environment, determining the appropriate walking devices and performing exercises specific to your child and their surgery. Inpatient occupational therapists can work with you and your child to understand how to complete basic daily activities, like dressing and bathing, as well as determine the appropriate equipment, such as wheelchairs and adaptive equipment needed for your child’s surgery. Together these therapies will coordinate and work together to provide you and your child the opportunity to learn and practice all transfers, activities, and exercises needed to safely recover at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All Surgeries Require Inpatient Therapy Services?
No, not all surgeries or procedures will require inpatient therapy services. The potential therapy needs are determined by the collaborative medical team here at Scottish Rite for Children.
What Equipment Might I Need After Surgery?
This is dependent on your surgery and activity restrictions.
Why Do I Need Therapy Services If I Just Had Surgery?
There is strong research evidence that shows early activity supports the recovery process. If recommended by the medical team, inpatient therapists are often involved in the assessment and initiation of early activity after surgery.