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Children with disabilities represent a unique population within pediatrics. The division of pediatric rehabilitation, under the direction of Joshua Alexander, MD, and with medical expertise from Elizabeth Barton, MD and Theodore Yip, 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 multidisciplinary 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.

 

Outpatient Services

  • Spina Bifida/Spinal Cord Injury Multidisciplinary Clinic (including Pediatric PM&R, Orthopedics, Urology, Neurosurgery, PT/OT, P&O, Social Work)
  • Cerebral Palsy Multidisciplinary Clinic (including Pediatric PM&R, Orthopedics, Complex Care, Neurology, Dietician, Neuropsychology, PT/OT/SLP, P&O, Durable Medical Equipment vendor, Social Work)
  • Pediatric Limb Differences Multidisciplinary Clinic (Pediatric PM&R, orthopedics, PT/OT, P&O)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury services (including Pediatric PM&R, Neuropsychology, therapy assessments)
  • Evaluation of children with (or at risk for) developmental delay
  • Care of children with neuromuscular and other genetic conditions
  • Collaboration with Pediatric Hematology & Oncology team to care for children needing rehabilitation services
  • Spasticity Management including procedures such as botulinum toxin injections and phenol motor nerve blocks, with the option to utilize UNC Children’s Sedation Team

 

Inpatient Services

  • Acute pediatric consult service for children with rehabilitation needs due to acute injuries, medical illness, or congenital or developmental conditions.
Fitch Family
The Fitch Family

We are so thankful for the generosity of incredible individuals who have contributed to the Fitch Family Comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitation Program to help kids in need! In the future, we plan to provide acute inpatient rehabilitation services and day rehab services to the children of North Carolina at UNC Children’s Hospital.

Support the Fitch Family Comprehensive Pediatric Rehab Program! (unchealthfoundation.org)

 


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 Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Pediatrician who specializes in caring for children with complex medical needs
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Pediatric Neuropsychology
  • Pediatric Dietician
  • Pediatric Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Social Work and Adolescence-to-Adulthood Transitions Coordinator

Resource staff available through UNC includes:

  • Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Neuro-Ophthalmologist
  • Pediatric ENT
  • Pediatric Dentist
  • Pediatric Urologist
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Psychoeducational Specialist
  • Rehabilitation Engineering

Dr. Barton and Dr. Yip perform comprehensive intake evaluations of each child’s condition, abilities and special needs. During clinic, team members rotate between patient rooms to provide 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 and assists with connections to adaptive sports and recreation opportunities
  • Promotes optimal function and independence in daily life
  • Enhances the lives of patients, their siblings and their family

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.

Physiatrists

Become a Partner

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.