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Our Program
Our program is built on the philosophy that with the right combination of therapies, recovery is always possible — even many months or years after an injury. Our therapy programs follow techniques that have shown great promise in helping individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries recover sensation, movement, and independence, as well as achieve improved health and quality of life. While our therapists work with patients to help them reach their potential for recovery, our scientists work to find a cure.
Who We Serve
We provide inpatient care for children through the age of 21 and outpatient care to patients of all ages.
Unique Program for Children with Paralysis
Our program is one of the first in the world focused on rehabilitation and restoration for children with paralysis.
Children have the greatest potential to recover from neural damage. The lessons we learn from their successes could help us make the dream of recovery a reality for the many people with spinal cord injuries around the world.
Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
While most people associate spinal cord injuries with a traumatic injury, such as a diving or motor vehicle accident, a gunshot wound, or a fall, paralysis can also occur as a result of these factors:
- Developmental events such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy
- Vascular events such as arteriovenous malformation, spinal cord strokes, or aortic aneurysm
- Demyelinating diseases such as transverse myelitis, multiple sclerosis, or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
- Infectious diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis
- Tumors
- Complications of spinal surgery
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Continuum of Care
Kennedy Krieger Institute has a comprehensive Rehabilitation Continuum of Care, with extensive experience in providing acute and chronic neurorehabilitation. The Continuum is accredited by both CARF and The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO).
Although we work primarily with individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries, the pediatric inpatient facility allows us to begin our program as soon as a patient is medically stable — maximizing their chances for recovery. Our proximity to Johns Hopkins Hospital provides access to expanded medical and emergency services.
Treatment at ICSCI is conducted by an interdisciplinary team led by a pediatric physiatrist. The program includes two levels of services:
Inpatient Program
A comprehensive evaluation and treatment program for children and young adults, ranging in age from birth to 21, with acute or chronic spinal cord dysfunction, including those requiring ventilator assistance. During this program, the treatment team, directed by a pediatric physiatrist, evaluates each patient. Based on these initial evaluations, an intensive rehabilitation plan is tailored to the unique needs of each patient and his or her family. Patients in this program receive a minimum of five hours of therapy each day and most receive more.
Outpatient Clinic
This clinic provides specialized outpatient evaluations, periodic follow-up, and medical management. A central focus of this program is physical health and quality of life.
Inpatient Care
Inpatient care is provided by an interdisciplinary team composed of the following:
- physicians
- nurses
- occupational and physical therapists
- speech-language pathologists
- behavioral and neuropsychologists
- social workers
- educational specialists
- nutritionists
- child life specialists
- recreational therapists
- assistive technology specialists
- clinical care managers
The team has the overall rehabilitation goal of assisting each patient to be as functional as possible in the home, school, and community setting. After discharge, follow-up services are provided for ongoing support.
Related News & Updates
December 28, 2011
October 17, 2011
January 27, 2011
Cancer Drug Found to Aid Cell Regeneration After Spinal Cord Injury
Related Events
SKI MASH
February 23-24, 2012: Baltimore Adapted Recreation and Sports (BARS) hosts adaptive skiing sessions at Liberty Ski Resort. Download Registration Packet.
Research Initiatives
NA_00014481
Patterned FES Ergometry of Arm and Shoulder in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
Adult Volunteers Needed
Success Stories
Patrick Rummerfield
Patrick Rummerfield lives a life that can only be deemed miraculous. A 1974 car accident left Pat with little hope of survival. Today, this triathlete, racecar driver and motivational speaker spends each day ensuring that he makes the most of his body’s renewed power.
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Where Hope and Opportunity Meet Science The International Center for Spinal Cord Injury represents something remarkable in the field of paralysis treatment: New hope
Support Our Work
With your support we are revolutionizing rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injury and paralysis, offering something many of them have been told was lost forever: hope.
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