Pediatric Rehabilitation

Children with disabilities represent a unique population within pediatrics. The division of pediatric rehabilitation, under the direction of Joshua Alexander, MD, focuses on maximizing the function and enhancing the lives of children with a wide range of conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, stroke, brain injury, genetic abnormalities and other developmental disabilities. 

Our division offers a variety of services to children with disabilities, including multidiscipilinary specialty clinics, inpatient consultation services in the UNC Children's Hospital, botulinum toxin injections for spasticity and internet-based telemedicine video-conferencing to families in remote locations of the state.

Dr. Alexander recently discussed pediatric rehabilitation on the medical radio show "Here's to Your Health" featured on 1360 WCHL on November 30, 2008. For more information, listen to the podcast for November 30.

TelAbility

TelAbility is an innovative, community-oriented, interdisciplinary program that uses telecommunications to improve the lives of children with disabilities. Using real time video-conferencing and internet technologies, TelAbility provides comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered care to children with disabilities across North Carolina. In addition, the program offers education, training and peer support for caregivers.

The UNC Cerebral Palsy Clinic

The UNC Cerebral Palsy Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic designed to provide comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered care for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Primary clinic team members include:

• Pediatric Physiatrist
• Pediatric Occupational Therapist
• Pediatric Physical Therapist

Resource staff available through UNC includes:

• Pediatric Speech Therapist
• Pediatric Dentist
• Pediatric Neurosurgeon
• Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
• Pediatric Urologist
• Genetic Counseling
• School Liaison
• Nutritionist
• Pediatric Neurologist
• Pediatric Ophthalmologist
• Pediatric Plastic Surgeon
• Psychoeducational Specialist
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Vocational Rehab Counselor

The clinic’s Medical Director performs a comprehensive intake evaluation of each child's condition, abilities and special needs. During clinic, team members rotate between patient rooms to provide appropriate evaluations, education and services to provide care that:

• Overcomes fragmentation and maintains continuity of care
• Provides developmental evaluations and follow-up assessments
• Overcomes financial barriers
• Provides objective recommendations about spasticity/tone management
• Uses proactive interventions to reduce complications
• Integrates well with community services
• Promotes optimal function and independence in daily life
• Enhances the lives of patients, their siblings and their family

The clinic takes place every Monday. To make an appointment or referral, please contact our PM&R Outpatient Clinic
at 919-966-8812.

The Spina Bifida Clinic

The Spina Bifida Clinic at UNC is an interdisciplinary clinic designed to provide comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered care for children and adolescents with spina bifida and spinal cord injury.

Primary clinic team members include:

• Pediatric Physiatrist
• Pediatric Occupational Therapist
• Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
• Pediatric Physical Therapist

Resource staff available through UNC includes:

• Assistive Technology Specialist
• Pediatric Dentist
• Pediatric Neurosurgeon
• Pediatric Speech Therapist
• Pediatric Urologist
• Genetic Counseling
• School Liaison Nutritionist
• Pediatric Neurologist
• Pediatric Ophthalmologist
• Pediatric Plastic Surgeon
• Psychoeducational Specialist
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Vocational Rehab Counselor

This clinic cares for, educates, and supports children and adolescents with spina bifida and spinal cord injury so that they may enter adulthood as happily and independently as possible with tools for a healthy life-style.  All primary team members rotate through each room to maximize convenience for the patients and their families. Neurosurgery and urology physicians are available as needed. Copies of clinic notes, written materials and useful web-based information are available to all patients and their families.

This clinic meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. To make an appointment or referral, please contact our
PM&R Outpatient Clinic at 919-966-8812.

Your gift will enable us to advance our mission of providing excellence in rehabilitation through patient care, state-of-the-art research and education. Your tax-deductible donation, whether large or small, makes a tremendous impact locally and globally.