Kennedy Krieger occupational therapists provide evaluation and treatment services across several inpatient units. Treatment plans are individualized to each patient’s needs and admitting diagnosis, with a focus on improving participation and functional independence.

Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit

On the Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit, occupational therapists support patients in regaining participation and independence in daily activities following illness, surgery or injury. Individualized treatment plans focus on restoring lost skills, promoting functional recovery, and supporting a safe and successful discharge.

  • Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s): Self feeding, grooming, dressing, bathing, toileting, and identification of, or training in, adaptive equipment to support independence in daily self-care tasks.
  • Upper Extremity Range of Motion, Strength, and Function: Assessment and intervention addressing reach, grasp and release, eye-hand coordination, in-hand manipulation, tool use, and bilateral hand function.
  • Postural Skills & Functional Mobility: Development of head and trunk control, static and dynamic sitting and standing balance, and safe functional mobility within home and community environments.
  • Equipment: Collaboration with Physical Therapy to determine appropriate wheelchair and mobility equipment recommendations, as well as identification of toileting and bathing equipment to support safety and independence.
  • Cognition/Executive Function/Instrumental ADL’s: Support for task initiation, sequencing, and completion; attention, memory, problem solving, and organizational skills required for higher level daily activities.
  • Splinting/Casting/Orthotics/Modalities: Assessment, fabrication, and modification of positioning devices to optimize alignment, prevent contractures, and maximize functional use.
  • Discharge Preparation: Hands-on patient and caregiver education, training in recommended strategies and equipment, and coordination of ongoing therapy and support services to ensure a smooth transition from inpatient care.

Pediatric Feeding Disorders Unit

Our occupational therapists support patients in developing feeding and swallowing skills that have been impacted by medical diagnoses, developmental delay or behavior. Interventions are individualized to promote safe, efficient, and meaningful participation in mealtime routines.

  • Oral Motor and Feeding Skills: Collaboration with Speech Therapy to assess feeding and swallowing function, determine appropriate diet consistency, and implement safe swallowing strategies.
  • Sensory Processing: Assessment of sensory responsiveness, including tolerance to touch, textures, taste, pain and body awareness, with interventions to support sensory regulation, desensitization and engagement in mealtime routines.

Neurobehavioral Unit (NBU)

Our occupational therapists assist patients in developing functional skills affected by behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and/or intellectual disability, with a focus on independence, regulation and participation in daily routines.

  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Support for self-feeding, grooming, dressing, bathing, toileting and identification or use of adaptive equipment to promote independence in self-care tasks.
  • Splinting, Casting and Equipment: Assessment, fabrication, and modification of positioning devices and equipment to improve alignment, prevent contractures and maximize functional performance.

Neurobehavioral Unit (NBU): Our occupational therapists assist patients in developing functional skills affected by behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and/or intellectual disability, with a focus on independence, regulation and participation in daily routines.

  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Support for self-feeding, grooming, dressing, bathing, toileting and identification or use of adaptive equipment to promote independence in self-care tasks.
  • Splinting, Casting and Equipment: Assessment, fabrication, and modification of positioning devices and equipment to improve alignment, prevent contractures and maximize functional performance.