Pediatric Rehabilitation Center in Bangkok

Every child’s physical, emotional, conscious, and subconscious responses to social, physical, and mental stimuli are as unique as the body upon which they are imposed. Not only is every newborn unique, but the growth, development, and health of each of them is equal in its uniqueness. 

From birth onwards, there are behavioral stages, both mental and physical, that are drawn as benchmarks to gauge a child’s growth and development. Of course, the parameters within which these denotative stages are viewed cannot be hard and fast. It is vital that consideration is given to the undeniable fact that every child is born, and will develop, in a unique way.

Thankfully, the vast majority of children are born strong and healthy with their growth and development falling into the metaphorical parameters that are considered to be the norm. However, there is a very small minority of children whose health and development exist outside of what might be considered normal. 

Conditions that affect a child’s overall development can be inherent, they may be due to physical trauma, or due to exposure to sickness or disease. There are a multitude of possible causes for health and development retardation, and early recognition is vital with the parents usually being the first to recognize the initial signs of an anomaly in their child’s health or development.

At this point a responsible medical approach is essential, one that acknowledges the individuality of, not only the child, but the health and development issues facing that child. No two cases will be identical and must be diagnosed and treated with that in mind.

To successfully achieve this a broad church of highly skilled practitioners is required, with the most comprehensive and diverse team of medical experts being found at Samitivej Hospital’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Center. Only here is the individuality of a condition treated alongside, and with equal essence, the individuality of the child.

Who Benefits from Pediatric Rehabilitation?

There is a plethora of medical conditions that will require skilled therapeutic rehabilitation as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. This includes cerebral palsy, which is in fact a group of conditions affecting a child’s movement and posture. The condition is due to damage caused during the development of the brain, usually prior to birth. 

Another condition, although rare, is Kufor-Rekab syndrome (KRS). This is often referred to as youth onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) or juvenile Parkinson’s disease (JPD). This condition can bring about early onset dementia, spasticity and supranuclear gaze palsy. Children with Down’s syndrome, scoliosis and autism can also have their quality of life improved by therapeutic rehabilitation therapy. 

Post neurological surgery and rehabilitation therapy is essential as part of every individual treatment plan. It is equally as vital following spinal, or other joint surgery. All of these instances may be due to birth or growth defects or from physical injury due to an accident.

State of the Art Rehabilitation Therapy

Forward thinking and technology have gone hand in hand in the evolution of therapeutic rehabilitation. This bilateral approach has led to the Pediatric Rehabilitation Center becoming the world leader in this vital field of health care for the young. The center embraces the state-of-the-art technology and equipment, which is complimented with world class, highly trained physicians skilled in the field of pediatric rehabilitation. 

High-tech robotic-assisted walking therapy is utilized as part of treatment plans for patients with motor neurological issues, muscle weakness, post-surgery or following a stroke. The highly trained therapists utilize the Lokomat system, developed by the specialist Swiss company, which enables repetitive physiological gait training, essential for successful rehabilitation.

Where appropriate, a suspension exercise system, developed by Redcord, will assist in the rehabilitation of patients with impaired neuromuscular strength, musculoskeletal damage, or following brain or spinal surgery. The system allows for the re-education of the muscles function whilst also building strength. This is essential for a child’s progressive physical development.

Aquatic therapy is a key element in the rehabilitation for many child patients. Following an illness or accident that has affected the central nervous system and muscle functions, conducted by a skilled therapist, this therapy is highly successful in restoring the strength and movement of muscles and limbs. Additionally, it will aid in the restoration of balance and bodily awareness. 

In line with Samitivej Hospital’s strict disinfection and hygiene regulations the aquatic pools follow stringent practices to ensure a safe and secure environment for the child patients. In addition to the high health and hygiene standards which are the norm, the pools have salt chlorinator systems. These systems are there specifically to minimize the risk of skin and eye irritation. 

Children suffering with any form of brain damage, other mental health issues, learning difficulties or with special needs, benefit from Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Therapy. This therapeutic program is designed to be a multi-faceted approach to stimulate a child’s sensory skills.

Through relaxation and arousal activities and techniques the child’s sensual abilities are stimulated. Independently, visual, olfactory, auditory, and tactile senses are stimulated which encourages the child to learn how to identify and understand their senses in a coherent manner. All Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Therapy plans are tailored to the individual child to maximize positivity.

Various physical and cognitive therapy treatments are often enhanced by prescribed drugs. For example, the approved drugs Risperidone or Aripiprazole may be prescribed for children with autism spectrum disorder. Likewise, anticonvulsants are often prescribed in cases of cerebral palsy. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be prescribed for mild to moderate pain or discomfort.

At the center, drugs are used as and when required, and not as a matter of course. The center’s doctors always remain aware of the risk of potential damage that prolonged use of prescribed drugs can have in a child’s future physical and mental development. The forward thinking and long-term view help to ensure that each child will be able grow and lead a normal life into adulthood.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to success

The success of Samitivej Hospital’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Center can be attributed, not only to the highly skilled medical practitioners and therapists, but also to the pooling of skills and expertise though group meetings and discussions. Patients are individuals, and their health issues are as individual as they are. 

The medical teams at the Pediatric Rehabilitation Center hold this as paramount in their approach to the planning and implementation of each and every course of therapeutic treatment. For the Indigenous and expat communities throughout the kingdom there is no better rehabilitative childcare than at Samitivej Hospital’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Center.