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The lively Grainger Pediatric Lab is specifically designed for Pediatric patients (inpatients and outpatients). In this Lab, children and teens work with doctors, researchers and therapists on advancing ability. The equipment and facilities in this Lab are scaled for both younger children and adolescents of all ages.

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The Pediatric Lab is equipped with state-of-the-art devices, technology and equipment, including many inventions created by our scientists. In this Lab, robotics for upper- and lower-extremity motor impairment, innovative treadmills and devices for walking, "intelligent" muscle stretchers, and 3D gait analysis, as well as virtual reality setups are all employed to help our youngest patients achieve their best outcomes.

Family participation is essential to success, and parents and caregivers play an important role in the care team. Family members provide vital, personal insights that help in developing an effective treatment plan and enable progress outside of therapy. In addition, we educate family members on all areas of care, including safety and success at home.

This Lab also includes high-tech augmentative communication devices to help patients recover various functions of developing, injured or impaired brains. For example, some of these devices show promise in advancing brain healing (“plasticity”). 

Pediatric Lab

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In this lively state-of-the-art environment, we treat children and teens from across the United States and around the world. Learn more about our services for international patients.

To see our private patient rooms and read more about our pediatric nursing and levels of care, please visit our Grainger Pediatric Innovation Center. Also, check our Locations to find the nearest Shirley Ryan AbilityLab pediatric inpatient or outpatient site of care.

Recent Research Projects

In our custom Grainger Pediatric Lab, the world’s leading researchers and therapists work with children and adolescents as we leverage rehabilitation medicine, technology and science to meet each child’s special needs, growing body and developing brain.

sralab

Muscle Impairment in Children with Cerebral Palsy: a Role for Muscle Stem Cell Dysfunction and Drug Repurposing

We investigate the role of specific muscle resident stem cells, called satellite cells, in the development of muscle contractures.

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Chicago

Defining trajectories of linguistic, cognitive-communicative and quality of life outcomes in aphasia

Using certain characteristics as predictors, This study describes trajectories of linguistic, cognitive-communicative, and health-related QoL outcomes.

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Making tea with wheelchair

Manual Standing Wheelchair

Researchers at the AbilityLab have designed the first-ever manual standing wheelchair that allows users to be mobile in both sitting and standing modes.

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By The Numbers

This kid-customized Pediatric Lab is scaled for smaller bodies, developing brains and appealing to young imaginations. 

  • 2.5X

    The amount of additional pediatric rehabilitation space that we have in the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (vs. our previous location), that serves pediatric patients from across the world.

  • 2

    "Serious-Free" zones for children and teens to play and have fun. Playrooms are designed with bright colors, toys, books and technology, with one even specially scaled for toddlers.

  • 14.7K

    The square footage of the Pediatric Lab. Located on the 18th floor, this space houses some of the best minds and and technology you'll find in the pediatric rehabilitation world.