On the Move
In August, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC’s Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy (PT and OT) Department and the hospital’s Speech-Language Pathology services will expand and move from Children’s North to larger facilities in Pine Center, also in Wexford (Bonnie View Drive off of U.S. Route 19). Pine Center will provide the following benefits:
- Larger treatment space for additional strengthening and exercise equipment in the PT area, allowing for increased intervention options and the development of exercise groups
- Larger OT space, enabling Children’s to augment its sensory motor interventions and function programs, such as activities of daily living
- A kitchen area for occupational therapists to work with children and adolescents on eating and simple meal preparation skills
Read more about the expansion under way at Children’s North.
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
“Children’s Hospital provides a depth of clinical expertise working with children that other PT and OT providers cannot,” says Roberta Sciulli-Carlson, vice president of Ancillary Services. “With the growing request for our pediatric expertise and services, it’s necessary to expand beyond Children’s North.”
Physicians can refer children to Children’s PT and OT providers knowing that they will receive a diagnosis that addresses multiple development areas. Because the therapists focus on the “whole child,” they can recognize areas of concern more readily and adjust interventions according to the needs of the child and family.
“Using Children’s electronic health record system, our staff can put together a complete picture for inpatients and outpatients,” says Ms. Sciulli-Carlson. “Children’s physical therapists and occupational therapists provide high-quality care for special-needs children who require long-term care, as well as for those with short-term needs.”
Speech-Language Pathology
Children’s Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (formerly Audiology and Communication Disorders) specializes in helping children with hearing, speech, language and swallowing/feeding problems. The department, which partners with many other clinical and rehabilitative services within Children’s, has added clinicians and expanded the following services:
- Cochlear implant habilitation services
- Pediatric feeding team
- Voice and resonance disorders
- Swallowing evaluation and treatment
- Childhood stuttering
- Childhood apraxia
- Autism spectrum services
For Occupational Therapy appointments, call 724-933-9255.
For Physical Therapy appointments, call 724-933-9250.
For Speech-Language Pathology appointments,
call 412-692-5580.
