Specialized Programs & Services

The care a patient receives at Madonna is very individualized, following an interdisciplinary care plan. However, as a CARF accredited Pediatric Family Centered Program, care is taken to recognize the developmental needs of each child or adolescent as well as the strengths and needs of each family unit and incorporate those into each person's rehabilitation program.

Children 0-5 years old
It is important to maintain as normal a routine as possible while the child is at Madonna, particularly feeding and napping schedules as well as play time. In addition to the skilled medical care and rehabilitation provided intermittently throughout the day, a small child's schedule will also include the following activities, as appropriate:

• Nap time is built into the schedule. A sign is posted on the patient's door so staff and visitors know not to disturb unless there is something urgent that absolutely cannot wait.
  
• Play time with parents and siblings is a normal, important part of human development, so toys and a mat for the floor is provided so families can take time to play together safely.
  
• Social Interaction with other children is also important. This may be done by scheduled time in the Therapeutic Learning Center for kids 3 years or older, or by taking a trip to the Madonna Child Development Center.
  

Madonna's Child Development Center is a Day Care Center located on our campus and used by Madonna employees. Therapists will take smaller children to the Child Development Center for a 1-2 hour visit, 2-3 times per week to interact with other children their age. In addition to the peer interaction, age-appropriate play, and pre-school education, the patient also has an opportunity to respond to questions about why they use a wheelchair, or wear a helmet. In addition to these benefits, individual therapy might include:

• Speech therapy involvement in Storytime
  
• Recreation therapy involvement in Recess
  
• Physical therapy involvement with teaching classroom mobility
  
• Occupational therapy involvement with fine motor skills such as coloring
  

Children & Adolescents 6-18 years old:
Like the smaller child, there are other developmental milestones and age-appropriate activities that should be integrated into an older child or adolescent's rehabilitation program. School is a huge part of a child/adolescent's day. Therefore, at Madonna, our patients are scheduled for time in the Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) as soon as possible. This might begin with a brief 30 minute session in the TLC with individualized attention by an occupational or speech therapist, and eventually become 2-3 hours instruction in a group setting, taught by a certified teacher. Like the Child Developmental Center, time in the TLC provides opportunities not just to work on academics, but also for peer interaction, social skills, communication, adjustment, and classroom mobility.

Socialization is also a huge part of growing up. Madonna provides opportunities for peer interaction outside the classroom by encouraging involvement with the Adaptive Sports & Recreation Program, by sharing meals in the small dining area located on the Adolescent & Children's unit, or by integrating some therapy time in the gym together.

As adolescents develop physically, they also form their own self-image. Unfortunately, some of this is may be based upon what we look like. At Madonna, our patients are encouraged to get up, dress in their normal "street clothes" and get out of their room to participate in therapies. This is particularly important for adolescents, who already have a great deal of peer pressure without the added stress of walking with a limp, using a wheelchair, or talking funny. Patients are taught how to interact and respond to these questions while in the protective environment at Madonna and are then gradually introduced to the community, school, and their peers. One particular young man even practiced dancing with his therapist in preparation for going to the school prom.

Chores are a normal part of many child/adolescent's daily routine. Whether this includes pet care, laundry or washing dishes, Madonna therapists integrate these activities into each patient’s daily schedule as appropriate, using special areas such as Independence Square, a simulated community, and the teaching kitchen.