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Rehabilitation Services

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Rehabilitation Referrals

Physicians can refer patients to CHOC through our eCeptionist Referral Portal.

When a child needs physical, occupational or speech therapy, their needs are very different than those of an adult. At CHOC, the Rehabilitation Services Department is designed specifically with children in mind. Our team specializes in pediatric rehabilitation and uses the very latest research-based therapies in one-on-one sessions with patients and their families.

The CHOC Rehabilitation Center uses an integrative approach to care. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates with patients and their families to create a care plan that is adaptable and individualized to everyone’s needs and values.

Your child may be seen by one or several of the following care team members:

Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.
Occupational therapists (OTs) focus on helping children with various physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities or delays to perform daily activities and tasks, such as writing your name, putting on clothing, and so forth. These skills require gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and intact cognition.
Physical therapists (PTs) work to help kids improve their range of motion, strength, flexibility, and movement patterns, whether it be from bone/muscle issues, sport-related injuries, or genetic, brain, spine, or nerve disorders.
Child life specialists
Social workers
Speech pathologists

All treatments are specially designed with the child and his or her long-term goals and potential in mind.

Looking into rehabilitative services for your child?

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.

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.

CHOC Outpatient Rehabilitation

We offer one of the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art pediatric rehabilitation centers in Southern California.

Our facility is proud to offer:

Physical agent modalities including heat, cold and ultrasound to help with pain relief, decreased inflammation and increase flexibility. with it. Practicing and being comfortable with acupressure will also help it to work better when you need it, like when you are in pain.
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.

Outpatient and Inpatient Rehabilitative Services

Goals for treatment will vary during the course of treatment. We work with each child where they are to foster independence. Our main priorities are to help patients improve overall mobility and function, minimize pain, and become stronger each session.

Rehabilitation Evaluations

In order to provide patients with the right types and amounts of therapy, our licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists work with patients and their caregivers using special evaluations to determine the best course of treatment for each individual patient.

Each evaluation takes one hour, and children referred for multiples types of therapy will have each of evaluation scheduled on a different day. Children should dress comfortably for their evaluation and the child’s caregiver may stay with the child at all times.

The Rehabilitation Services team ask that patients arrive 30 minutes prior to their evaluation to complete any necessary paperwork. The amount and types of therapy are determined during the initial evaluation. For patients that may benefit from two or more service areas, the therapy team will work together to develop a patient- and family-centered care plan that meets all of the child’s needs.

Once the therapy types and frequency have been determined, the evaluating therapist will submit an evaluation report and prescription to the child’s primary care physician within one week of the evaluation. After the physician has signed the prescription, the information is sent to the child’s insurance for authorization. Authorization can take seven to ten business days.

Once all of the paperwork has been processed and completed, the child’s caregiver will be contacted to set up the therapy appointments. Once the child begins therapy, therapists work with the child and his or her family to provide practical tips and information for continuing the therapy efforts at home.

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.