Types of Rehabilitation Services

What are rehabilitation services?

Rehabilitation therapy refers to a group of services that help patients with different aspects of daily function. Health care providers or therapists who specialize in rehabilitation can help children improve skills and abilities to promote independence in daily living and improve quality of life.

Types of rehabilitation services include:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Audiology and hearing care
• Speech-language therapy

Your therapist and other health care providers will evaluate your child and develop a treatment plan. Rehabilitation can help patients of every age learn how to cope with the challenges they face.

How rehabilitation services can help

Rehabilitation therapy can help your child in a variety of ways including:

• Improve strength, balance, coordination, and mobility
• Help with activities of daily living, school, and work skills
• See if your child is meeting developmental milestones and help address delays
• Evaluate and help with hearing, vision, speech, communication, and feeding and swallowing
• Identify equipment and assistive device needs such as wheelchairs, walkers, orthotics, braces, and hearing aids

Rehabilitation professionals often coordinate services with other health care providers in nursing, nutrition, psychology, social work, spiritual care, school services, and child life.

How to access rehabilitation services

Many hospitals and treatment centers offer rehabilitation therapy services in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Rehabilitation therapy services are also available in the local community through hospitals, clinics, and schools.

Your child’s care team can help you find services that meet your needs.

Questions to ask about rehabilitation services

• What type of therapy services does my child need?
• How will the therapy help my child?
• How long will therapy sessions last?
• Will insurance pay for my child’s therapy?
• Do I need a referral from a health care provider?
• What exercises or activities can I do with my child at home?

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