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Rehabilitation Services
The Rehabilitation Services Department at CHOC is designed especially for children. Using a comprehensive team approach, our physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language pathology specialists work together to provide complete care for children of all ages—from premature newborns to young adults.
When a child needs physical, occupational or speech therapy, their needs are very different than those of an adult. The Rehabilitation Services team specializes in pediatric rehabilitation and uses the very latest research-based therapies in one-on-one sessions with patients and their families. All of our therapists have a master’s degree or higher and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in their areas of specialty by attending conferences and seminars across the country.
Getting Started
CHOC offers a variety of developmental and functional evaluations that are conducted by licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists. Each evaluation takes about one to two hours to complete. The evaluation is a collaborative process between the patient, parent and therapist, in addressing the child’s needs, goals, and eligibility for services. Learn more about evaluations and beginning treatment at CHOC.
Why Choose CHOC?
All treatments are specially designed with the child and his or her long-term goals and potential in mind.
- The Multidisciplinary Feeding Program at CHOC evaluates and treats children with significant feeding problems. Children who participate in the program typically have failed outpatient feeding therapy and have either a G-Tube (feeding tube) or are at risk for G-Tube placement. CHOC has the one of the only inpatient programs dedicated to treating these children west of the Mississippi River.
- For patients with orthopaedic and sports-related therapy needs, CHOC utilizes treatments that are sport- and activity-specific to allow athletes to return to optimal functioning. Learn more about physical therapy for athletes.
- CHOC offers one of the only multidisciplinary treatment groups for concussion and post concussion syndrome in the region with direct collaboration with neurologists, neuropsychologists, physical therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and athletic trainers. Learn more about our Concussion Program.
- Patients undergoing treatment at the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC are often able to receive physical therapy in the Cancer Institute’s in-unit gym. Learn more about physical therapy for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
We offer one of the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art pediatric rehabilitation centers in Southern California.
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Our facility is proud to offer:
- Two full-service gyms with the latest therapy equipment.
- A Litegait device that assists patients in weight bearing, gait and balance activities as part of prescribed physical therapy.
- Sensorimotor equipment, including a rockwall.
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation used to strengthen and improve a child’s ability to swallow. Learn more about neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
- A special therapy technique called biofeedback that is used to help patients become aware of bodily processes that they may not realize they are doing. Through this therapy, the child can gain some control over these processes and/or learn to manage them. Learn more about biofeedback.
- Physical agent modalities including heat, cold and ultrasound to help with pain relief, decreased inflammation and increase flexibility.
Resources for Patients and Families
It is common to have a lot of questions upon finding out a child needs rehabilitation therapy. This comprehensive collection of frequently asked questions and fact sheets may be helpful for families receiving rehabilitation services but should not replace specific instructions or advice provided by a child's medical team.
- Speech and Language
- Pre-dressing Skills
- Fine Motor Skills
- Grooming Skills
- Gross Motor Skills
- The Facts About Difficult Eaters
- Frequently Asked Questions About Swallowing Therapy
- Frequently Asked Questions About Swallowing Disorders
- Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Therapy
- Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Disorders
- Knowing When to Get Help with Difficult Eaters
- Information About the CHOC Multidisciplinary Feeding Program
- Frequently Asked Questions About Voice Disorders
- Frequently Asked Questions About Receptive and Expressive Language Delays
- Frequently Asked Questions About Cognitive-communication Disorders
- Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Speech Disorders
- Reasons to Refer for Speech or Language Therapy
- Frequently Asked Questions About Speech and Language Therapy
Locations
3745 W. Chapman Ave., Suite 200 | Orange, CA 92868 | 714-509-4220
Internship Opportunities
The CHOC Rehabilitation Services Department accepts student internships. Each potential intern undergoes a vigorous interview prior to acceptance. In addition, a contract must also be devised between the university and CHOC prior to the initiation of the internship. Please contact the Rehabilitation Services front desk for more information at (714) 509-4220.
