Pediatric rehabilitation is a necessary step to improve the quality of life of children with disabilities or developmental delays, through specialized treatment programs that aim to enhance their physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities. Through effective treatment programs that are tailored to each child, the child is able to interact with his or her surroundings better and acquire independence and self-confidence skills, which reflect positively on the child’s growth and development throughout his or her childhood.
What is pediatric rehabilitation?
It is a structured process that aims to develop the physical, mental, and psychological functions of a child after a trauma or injury. This is done through customized programs that develop the injured child’s strengths and enhance their abilities to cope with the changes in their health condition, taking into account their stages of growth and development.
Groups in need of rehabilitation: Children with physical or mental disabilities, children after injuries or surgeries, and those with developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy, autism, and speech delays.
The difference between rehabilitation and therapy
Treatment focuses on the direct treatment of the resulting disease or injury, such as surgical intervention or medication, to achieve recovery and alleviate symptoms, while rehabilitation is a broader and more comprehensive process that provides ongoing support after treatment to enhance and improve the child’s functional abilities.
That is, treatment focuses on the health issue itself, while rehabilitation focuses on enhancing functioning and quality of life after or during treatment.
When does a child need rehabilitation?
- After injuries or surgical interventions that affect movement or sensory functions.
- In some neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as cerebral palsy, speech delays, and communication issues.
- When there are signs of delayed intellectual or behavioral development.
- When there are issues with daily activities or a lack of independence, an evaluation of the child’s condition is required.
Types of pediatric rehabilitation programs
Pediatric rehabilitation programs are numerous and include:
- Motor rehabilitation: Improves balance, walking ability, and fine motor skills.
- Psychological and behavioral rehabilitation: Includes treatment of psychological disorders such as anxiety disorders, behavior modification, and communication support.
- Speech and language rehabilitation: Provided through sessions aimed at improving speech and language, and increasing the ability to communicate verbally.
- Functional and cognitive rehabilitation: It aims to rehabilitate and train the child to perform normal daily tasks such as eating, dressing, etc.
Who oversees the pediatric rehabilitation of children?
Rehabilitation is supervised by a multidisciplinary team that works in harmony to assess the child’s condition and develop a treatment plan that suits the child’s health condition:
- Pediatric neurologists.
- Physical therapists.
- Speech-language pathologists.
- Occupational therapists.
- Child psychologists.
- Nurses who specialize in pediatric care.
The role of the family in the rehabilitation process for children
The family plays an important role in the success of rehabilitation programs, as it is one of the key factors in achieving effective results:
- Provide emotional support: Ongoing psychological and emotional support from parents helps the child feel safe and confident, which improves their response to treatment and reduces the stress associated with the rehabilitation process.
- Collaboration with doctors and therapists: Constant communication with the medical team, parental involvement in setting treatment goals, and a commitment to follow through with home exercises can accelerate developmental outcomes.
- Create a stimulating home environment: Providing a supportive and safe environment free of stress and frustration helps the child to practice the acquired skills and enhances his/her independence and ability to integrate and interact with his/her social and family environment.
What are the benefits of pediatric rehabilitation?
Pediatric rehabilitation programs help improve a child’s quality of life on several levels, with some of the most notable benefits:
- Improving motor and language abilities: Verbal communication is improved, and motor skills are enhanced through speech therapy and motor interventions.
- Reduce tantrums and negative behaviors: The child’s reactions and emotional responses are modified, and their ability to interact with the environment is developed through psychological and behavioral rehabilitation programs.
- Increase a child’s self-confidence and independence: Training and practicing daily skills and activities enhances a child’s ability to become self-reliant and independent.
- Maximizing functioning: The essence of rehabilitation programs is to help the child regain function or find suitable alternatives within his or her abilities and capabilities.
Do rehabilitation programs vary depending on the case?
Yes, rehabilitation programs vary depending on the child’s condition and individual needs.
The programs are customized according to the type of disability, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or hearing impairments, to ensure the most appropriate and best program for the patient’s condition, and the duration of the program and the frequency of therapeutic sessions vary according to the child’s condition, which is evaluated by the specialized team, in addition to the extent of the child’s ability to respond to rehabilitation, all of which ensures that the child achieves the best possible results to enhance his condition in proportion to his individual abilities and potential.
The following table shows how the program and its duration vary according to the child’s health condition
| Type of case | Duration and average frequency ofsessions |
|---|---|
| Cerebralpalsy | Long-term sessions, 3 to 5 times per week |
| Autism | Regular and intensive sessions, 5 to 7 times per week |
| Hearing disabilities | Ongoing sessions over months or years, 2 to 4 times per week |
| Post-accident brain injuries | Intensive sessions at first (daily), then gradually tapering off as you improve |
| General developmental delay | Medium to long-term sessions, 2 to 3 times per week |
Rehabilitation centers in Turkey and the Arab world
Rehabilitation centers in Turkey and the Arab world provide integrated services to support patients in regaining their physical and mental abilities after an injury or surgery. These centers provide specialized treatment programs that combine physical therapy, functional rehabilitation, and psychological support, which help improve quality of life and accelerate recovery. Turkey is one of the leading countries in this field thanks to its modern equipment and competent medical staff, while many Arab countries are seeking to develop their centers to better meet the needs of patients.
How do you choose the right center for your child?
- The availability of a comprehensive medical team from all specialties is needed to implement the rehabilitation program.
- Provide comprehensive and customized treatment plans for each individual case according to the type of disability and the age of the child.
- The center relies on the latest treatment techniques and devices, under the supervision of experienced specialists.
- A stable, safe, and stimulating environment for the development of the child’s abilities within the center.
- The center’s specialists have the flexibility to modify the treatment plan according to the development of the case.
- The center must be accredited by the Ministry of Health and hold official medical certificates and competencies.
- Easy access to the center’s location.
- Strengthening the role of the family in participating in the development and follow-up of the treatment plan.
Can rehabilitation improve a child’s life?
Yes, a child rehabilitation program can be successful in improving the child’s life, with emphasis on the need to start early in the program that enhances the child’s various abilities, and the role of the family must be taken into consideration, as support and follow-up of treatment plans by the family plays a key role in achieving positive results.
Therefore, any small improvement a child makes through the program and the family can make a big difference in his or her life, in terms of boosting self-confidence, integration with the community, and the ability to achieve independence.
In conclusion, pediatric rehabilitation programs are an essential and important step to achieve the growth and development of a child with disabilities, as they contribute to enhancing their behavioral, motor and cognitive abilities. We must pay attention to the pivotal and important role of the family in the success of the treatment process and achieving the desired goals of the program.
Any improvement the child feels, even if it is small, can make a big difference in his life, so choosing the appropriate program and center, along with the family’s follow-up and continuous cooperation with the medical team, forms the core and foundation for the success of the rehabilitation program and achieving sustainable results that enhance the quality of life of the child.
Sources:
- World Health Organization. (2023, November 28). Rehabilitation.
- Lollar, D. J. (2008). Rehabilitation of the injured child. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 93(3), 230-235.
