Developmental Disabilities
We provide specialized family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities and chronic illness.
La Rabida stands out as a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of children with Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, neuromuscular disorders or developmental delays. Our first priority is each child’s well-being and helping them reach their full potential.
Down Syndrome
Through our primary care medical home and specialized Down syndrome clinic, our team works with children and their families to develop a program that maximizes a child’s health and minimizes or prevents medical complications associated with Down syndrome, while also focusing on the child’s intellectual, emotional and physical development.
Cerebral Palsy and Other Neuromuscular Disorders
We provide a full set of services individualized to a child’s unique needs be it Cerebral Palsy, brain injury or other neuromuscular disorders. At our Cerebral Palsy clinic, children and their families meet with a pediatrician, physiatrist (rehab specialist), physical therapist, social worker, nutritionist and other support staff as needed in a single visit. Our clinic also helps coordinate a child’s care by making sure their equipment and therapy needs are met.
Developmental Delays
We offer comprehensive programs for children with developmental delays who require early intervention health services to promote growth and development. Each child and family works with pediatricians and a full team of therapists including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and infant developmental specialists to help each child reach their fullest potential. For example, we developed our Baby Steps program on the inpatient unit for NICU graduates who are not yet ready to go home yet. By providing these infants with high-level medical and therapeutic care, we create bonding opportunities for parents and their children that reinforce the development of social and communication skills for our patients.
Child and Family Connections
La Rabida operates one of the state’s Child and Family Connections (CFC) regional intake agencies for children and families to enter the Illinois Early Intervention System, which is a collection of services for infants and toddlers who have or are at risk for developmental delays. Among the sixteen services offered through Early Intervention are speech, physical, occupational and developmental therapy. Our CFC service coordinators assist families with children from birth to age three with obtaining evaluations and assessments, determining eligibility and arranging for Early Intervention services with therapists.
