Transitioning to Inpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: What to Expect

Once your care team has determined that your child is medically ready to move on to rehabilitation care, it's time to focus on the next phase of recovery. The number one-ranked rehabilitation hospital in the country, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, provides specialty rehabilitation care for kids.

To ensure a smooth transition, your care team will share the most up-to-date information with the care team at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab before your child is admitted.

Pack comfortable clothes and shoes for your child that allow for full mobility for therapy sessions. You should also pack any regular toiletries that you and your child may need for an extended stay. Your child may also bring some personal items from home.

Once you arrive, your child will be evaluated by one of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s expert physicians.

On your first full day after arrival, the care team will develop an integrated, customized plan for your child to ensure the best progress. Your child will see a variety of clinicians, including physical, occupational and speech therapists throughout their stay to work toward goals and their ultimate discharge.

The therapy programs are child-centered and consist of about three hours of therapy every day that vary between individual and group formats. Therapists will use different activities, developmentally appropriate games and state-of-the-art equipment to help your child gain strength and improve their skills.

Every evening, you will receive the therapy schedule for the following day. Therapy may take place in your child's room, in the AbilityLab or possibly outdoors.

In addition, your child will have a nurse who will help administer care and provide education. A patient care technician, or PCT, will assist with things like eating, bathing and dressing.

Since your child is now medically stable and focused on rehabilitation, you will see fewer nursing staff and more therapy staff. Remember, this is quite literally the active phase of recovery, and your child will be engaged in safe and intensive therapy for much of each day.

Formal education sessions will be scheduled when needed to ensure you gain the necessary skills to care for your child and help them advance their skills prior to leaving Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

You will have opportunities to work with our child life specialist, who provides support with coping, social and emotional needs and also plans fun activities.

Finally, your child will have a care manager who will coordinate different aspects of their care, organize information and resources, work with your insurance company, prepare for discharge and arrange for follow-up care.

Family support is an important part of the recovery process. All patient rooms at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are private, and one parent or authorized adult is allowed to stay overnight.

For the safety of all patients, the Pediatric Innovation Center is a locked unit. Registered caregivers will be provided with daily passes to enter and exit freely. All visitors are required to wear a badge at all times. See all visitor information.

Here's to the next phase of your child's journey and to achieving the best possible outcome.