Pediatric Rehabilitation Psychology

Abstract

Working with children in medical rehabilitation requires consideration of important elements to facilitate optimal outcomes. Rehabilitation management of children involves identifying the child's physical and mental functional capabilities. An interdisciplinary team then selects interventions that are appropriate over the course of the disability/problem with consideration of the child's developmental age and continuum of care across professionals. Sometimes approaches should be modified for children who are born with a disability ("congenital") and for those who acquire it and can recall "before" and "now." There are congenital and chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and developmental delay which often require various rehabilitation services across the entire life span. Then, there are acquired traumatic conditions which require an acute inpatient rehabilitation stay followed by outpatient chronic management, such as burns, limb deficiency, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. This chapter discusses some of these pediatric conditions as well as some general concepts applicable for those working in pediatric rehabilitation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)