Pediatric Innovation Center

In the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, we continue to lead in our comprehensive focus on providing specialty rehabilitation care for children from infancy — in conjunction with our partners at Pathways — through adolescence, including care for children with traumatic injuries, congenital and developmental disorders, and those surviving cancer. We also continue our leadership in providing the best — and sometimes only — hope of recovery for infants, toddlers and teens surviving tragic circumstances such as gunshot wounds or abuse.

The Pediatric Innovation Center provides state-of the-art care and features lively child-centered themes to create a stimulating — uplifting — atmosphere for young patients, their families and caregivers. Clinicians and scientists associated with the Center include exceptionally qualified practitioners in specific areas of care — particularly in the special competencies required to treat children. To drive the best possible outcomes for their young patients, these pediatric specialists also leverage the leading knowledge and discoveries evolving in other Innovation Centers (Brain; Spinal Cord, Nerve, Muscle & Bone; Cancer).

How We Heal

Those who are passionate about helping kids are special people. Together they pursue ways to treat impairments and conditions affecting our young patients. With extensive experience and the most advanced medicine, science and technology, our Pediatric team focuses on helping children live happier, more able lives.

Pediatric Innovation Center

Leading the world advancing the knowledge of conditions affecting function and development of children, our Center is the only one of its kind in the Midwest.

Pediatric Lab

Pediatric patients (inpatient and outpatient) work with doctors, researchers and therapists in this kid-customized Pediatric Lab, scaled for smaller bodies, developing brains and appealing to young imaginations.

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Legs + Walking Lab

This Lab is designed for patients and research participants with diagnoses affecting lower-body function due to brain or spinal cord injury and diseases of the nerves, muscles and bones. Researchers and clinicians focus on advancing trunk, pelvic and leg function, movement, coordination, strength and balance.

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Think + Speak Lab

Recovering the ability to think, reason, perceive, swallow, eat, talk, interact with others and make decisions are key for returning to yourself, loved ones and life. In this Lab, combined therapeutic care and scientific application help you recover these building blocks of ability.

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Arms + Hands Lab

The two-story Harris Family Foundation Arms + Hands Lab is a robust environment designed for patients and research participants working on recovering and strengthening complex hand and reaching skills — turning a key, picking up a pen, reaching for a glass, putting on a sweater…all the many things we do with our hands, arms and fingers.

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Strength + Endurance Lab

This Lab is designed for patients and research participants working on building stamina and resilience. Therapy is targeted to improve complex motor and endurance activities, coordination and higher-level activities of daily living (cooking, dressing, gardening, sports).

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51K
The number of square feet this spacious single-story Lab occupies. Filled with state of the art care, technology and equipment, this colorful space promotes engagement & healing.
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Unique spaces designed with different age groups in mind. The Inpatient Toddler Playroom, the Child Life Playroom, and the Pediatric Ability Lab.
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Large, private patient rooms specifically designed for our pediatric patients and their families.