Treatment & CarePediatricsConditions & TreatmentsPediatric Therapy ServicesPediatric Physiatry

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry)

What is a Physiatrist?

Pediatric physiatrists, also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, are medical doctors who specialize in the rehabilitation care and medical management of children with conditions that impact their neurologic, muscular and/or skeletal systems such as cerebral palsy, brain injury, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders, musculoskeletal conditions and chronic pain. They understand how cognitive and physical disabilities affect growth and development and they work with patients and families by leading a comprehensive rehabilitation team to develop and direct individualized treatment. Their main objectives are to restore or improve function (e.g. walking) and maximize quality of life (e.g. decrease pain).

About the Physiatry Team

Children's Specialized Hospital employs seven board certified physiatrists and with about only 250 in the country, this makes us one of the largest programs in the country. Not only are we improving your access to care but under the coordination of our physiatrists, your child will receive the comprehensive care they need all in one place. These services include:

Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech and language therapy
Feeding therapy
Neurology
Developmental pediatrics
Psychiatry
Psychology
Orthopedics

We also work closely with our team of social workers to help you get the access to medical care, therapies, transportation and equipment that you and your child may need.

Conditions Treated

Our physiatrists diagnose, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, and perform procedures for conditions including:

Brain or spinal cord injuries or problems
Bracing, wheelchair, or other equipment needs
Cerebral Palsy
Difficulty with walking (e.g. toe walking, intoeing) or other functional tasks such as putting clothes on
Excessive drooling, jaw clenching, or open mouth posture
Hypotonia/floppy muscles
Muscle, bone, joint or nerve pain (e.g. knee pain, elbow pain)
Spasticity/tight muscles

They also provide evaluations for therapy, bracing, wheelchair, and equipment needs. In addition, they are able to perform botulinum toxin and alcohol nerve block injections, intrathecal baclofen pump management, and Electromyogrpahy and Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG-NCS).

Unique Programs

Center for Cerebral Palsy

The Center for Cerebral Palsy at Children's Specialized Hospital offers comprehensive multidisciplinary care for patients with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular conditions. The goals of the center is to ensure that children with cerebral palsy receive all the medical and therapy services they need to improve function and reach their full potential. To learn more, contact CP@childrens-specialized.org.

Inpatient Chronic Pain Management Program

The Chronic Pain Management Program at Children's Specialized Hospital promotes the wellness of adolescents and young adults ages 11-21 years old, with chronic pain who continue to have significant pain and difficulties with daily function despite a period of consistent outpatient therapies. If you or your child is interested in this program, please contact Laura Valentino to schedule and evaluation: LValentino@childrens-specialized.org or 732.258.7150.

Orthopedic Clinic

For some patients with complex physical disabilities, therapy and physiatry may not be enough to reach their full potential and an orthopedic surgery consultation may be necessary. Dr. Alice Chu will be onsite at our Mountainside location twice a month to evaluate those needs. Dr. Chu is uniquely trained in pediatric orthopedics and plastics hand surgery. Her specialties include: Club Foot; Pediatric Orthopedics/Fracture; Peripheral Nerve; and Upper Extremity. To learn more about Dr. Chu, click here. To schedule an appointment, call 888-244-5373.

Additional Information:

Community Outreach
Consult Services
Education and Research
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry) Referral Form
Learn more about our Physiatry Services (English OR Spanish)

Physiatry from a Parent's Perspective:

Children's Specialized Hospital's Family Faculty Member, Linda Waddell, shares her personal experience with Physiatry.

To schedule an appointment, call 888-244-5373 or click here.

Physiatry from a Parent's Perspective:

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Physiatry from a Parent's Perspective:

Quick Links

General Information

Patients & Visitors

Treatment & Care

Employees

Health Care Professionals

Local Supplier Diversity

Subcontractor Prequalification