Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language pathologists spend a major part of each day working together with the patient and family. As conditions improve, school and recreation therapy is added. Families are brought into team meetings and start to learn how to help their child. A lot of times that starts through their observation. Then as the child progresses towards discharge, our training with family becomes a hands-on approach.
Families watch and learn as their children begin to walk again.
Techniques are taught to prevent falling or loss of balance. Therapists demonstrate the best way for a child to transfer from a wheelchair to a normal chair, or from a wheelchair to a car seat. Progress through therapy may come after a few weeks or several months. Field trips from the hospital are arranged for children to practice skills they have learned. Therapists observe while making certain that the child is not put in harm's way.