Pediatric Cancer Rehabilitation

Addressing cancer’s impact

Many children experience short-term side effects during cancer treatment and may develop serious long-term health problems after treatment. Common health issues include:

• Back pain

• Osteoporosis

• Difficulty with walking or talking

• Loss of coordination and balance

• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Over the past few decades, pediatric oncologists have identified a need for a dedicated rehabilitation team. Their goal is to help children and their families address the impacts that cancer and its treatment can have on a child's developing body and mind. Our program dedicates all its time, resources and expertise to your child’s mobility, function and comfort during and following their cancer treatment. We also help coordinate the services your child needs

We will help improve your child’s:

• Balance, coordination, strength, mobility and pain

• Independent self-care, such as brushing teeth, eating and bathing

• Hearing, vision, speech and communication

• Achievement of age-appropriate developmental milestones, such as walking and talking

• Learning and information processing

Helping your child move with greater ease

Cancer surgeries and treatments may mean that your child needs new medical or mobility devices. We want your child to move through and interact with the world with as much comfort and ease as possible. Teaching children to use their new equipment safely and effectively is our team’s top priority. We help your child learn to use devices such as:

• Wheelchairs

• Crutches

• Braces

• Orthotics

• Cochlear implants and hearing aids

Working with your whole family

We understand that your child’s cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery affect your whole family. That’s why we work closely with you to help your family set goals for your child. Together, we will create a treatment plan that suits your family’s needs.

We will also provide education for your family on mobility and medical devices your child may need. The goal is for everyone in your family to feel confident in helping your child use and maintain the equipment.

At Children’s Health℠, we know that cancer and cancer treatment are hard on a child's body. Oncology therapy experts at Children's Health are physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians (called physiatrists). Pediatric oncologists specialize in treating your child’s cancer, but oncology physiatrists focus on preventing and managing the short- and long-term health issues caused by cancer and cancer treatment.

Our team specializes in a variety of therapies to help children improve speech, language, thinking, learning, motor and mobility skills that cancer or its treatment may have impaired. Our program’s unique format, unmatched expertise and top-notch technology position us as national leaders in helping children facing cancer get the rehabilitative care they need to live comfortable, independent lives.

We also integrate physiatrist care into their plan in addition to therapist involvement.