PEDIATRIC SUITABILITY HANDBOOK

Purpose

SuitABILITY® provides the most dynamic and intensive treatment intervention for children with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders. With the intensity of the intervention and the potential for an exceptional outcome, it is considered to be the most cost-effective therapeutic program available. This intervention will be the first innovative intervention service for children with neuromuscular disorders in the Sacramento area.

Population For Intervention

This program is designed for young children, ages 2 ½ years and up, and adolescents diagnosed with cerebral palsy, developmental delays, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), post stroke, ataxia, athetosis, hypertonia and hypotonia. There are specific medical issues that may limit and/or prohibit a child from participating in the program. There are discovered during the screening process.

The Suit

The main characteristic of this intervention is the utilization of the TheraSuit™ which originated as the Adeli-Suit in Poland. The Adeli-Suit was first produced and utilized in the Euro-Med Rehabilitation program in Poland in 1994. The suit was tailored based on the "Penguin" cosmonaut suit created by the Russian Aeronautical & Medical Space Center in 1971 in order to prevent hypokinesia among cosmonauts exposed to zero-gravity environments of prolonged a duration while in space.  The TheraSuit™ facilitates afferent proprioceptive impulse flow through the controlled tension from the elastic tension cords attached to the suit. Proprioceptive input received by the proprioceptors in muscles and ligaments is sent to the vestibular system in the inner ears and facilitates the development of the vestibular system, which contributes to reducing spasticity and synergetic movements as well as normalizing muscle tone. Any movement in the suit, especially exercise within the universal exercise unit, intensifies the vestibular and proprioceptive impulses and enhances overall motor control.  Utilization of the TheraSuit™ makes it possible for children with cerebral palsy and other central nervous system dysfunction to walk and control specific motor functions.  Additionally, improved speech is often reported as a result of this treatment approach.

Involved Professionals

Universal Exercise Unit

This exercise tool "monkey cage" can be used in two ways. As a system of weights and pulleys, the unity allows isolation of specific muscle groups for intense strengthening and stretching. Set up in the "spider" format, bungee cords support the child while practicing developmental activities and resistive exercises.

Treatment Methods

The program runs in three-week sessions throughout the year. Each child is scheduled for four hours of therapy each day, five days per week. Each child will be evaluated and fitted for a TheraSuit™ that the child will wear during a portion of each day during the program. An individual treatment plan is developed for each child and consists of appropriate utilization of the TheraSuit™ and the Universal Exercise Unit, warm-water therapy, the LightGait unit, thermo-therapy and therapeutic exercise. The child receives short snack/rest breaks during each day's activities. Parents are  encouraged to participate during the session to facilitate a solid understanding of the child's needs/goals and to share in their successes. Each child will receive a video of a session with specific home exercises in order to maintain gains achieved during the program. Follow-up programs are also available upon request.

Treatment Course

Program Information & Registration

To register for SuitABILITY®, please call the Pediatrics Department at (916) 485-6711 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Initial SuitABILITY Session An initial SuitABILITY session consists of intensive therapy for four (4) hour daily increments, five (5) days per week, for three (3) consecutive weeks.  The cost of the program is $7,200.  Due to a limited number of spaces available, a $1,000 deposit is required to secure a space.  The balance is due fourteen (14) days prior to the first day of your child’s start date.  Payment may be made in the form of cash, check, money order or major credit card.

Home Program Throughout theSuitABILITY session your child will be videotaped.  These videos will be given to you at the end of your child’s session as part of their recommended home program of exercises and activities.  Follow through with the home program will help ensure maintenance of the physical gains that your child makes during their session.

Follow-up SuitABILITY Session Children who have participated in an Initial SuitABILITY session are eligible to participate in a Follow-up SuitABILITY session.  The Follow-up session consists of Intensive therapy for three (3) hour daily increments, five (5) days per week, for three (3) consecutive weeks.  The cost of the program is $5,400.  Due to a limited number of spaces available, a $1,000 deposit is required to secure a space.  The balance is due fourteen (14) days prior to the first day of your child’s start date.  Payment may be made in the form of cash, check, money order or major credit card.

Cancellation Policies As SuitABILITY is an intensive therapy program and Easter Seals committed therapy staff, clinic space and resources, make-up sessions will be available at the sole discretion of Easter Seals and refunds will not be available once the program commences. If an Easter Seals therapist has to cancel a Suitability session, Easter Seals will schedule make-up session(s).  No refunds will be available.  If the need arises to cancel enrollment, a written cancellation request is required.  Should the request be received thirty (30) days or more prior to the program start date, your deposit will be refunded less a $100 administrative service fee or may be transferred to a different program date, as available.  If the cancellation request comes less than thirty (30) days prior to the program start date, Easter Seals will not refund or transfer the $1,000 deposit.

Questions?

What do you need to do in order to get your child signed up for a SuitABILITY session? In order to schedule your child for a SuitABILITY session we need to receive the documents below.  Once all of the below documentation has been reviewed by the Supervising Therapist, you will be contacted regarding program availability and scheduling.  If your child is not eligible for the SuitABILITY program,  Easter Seals will promptly refund your deposit in full.  Before an Initial SuitABILITY session, the therapist will conduct a full evaluation on your child.  The evaluation is a great way to see what anticipated outcomes your child could have as a result of their participation in the program.  It is also a great opportunity for the therapist to get to know your child and get to know what motivates him/her.  The therapist will provide you with a written copy of yourchild’s evaluation at the start and at the end of the session.  At the endof each week of SuitABILITY, you will be given a DVD of your child’sprogress and some recommended activities that you can do at homewith your child.  At the end of the session, the therapist will also provide you with instructions for a Home Program targeted to meet the unique needs of your child.  The remaining intake forms in this packet, that require a parent signature, will need to be completed and returned to the Easter Seals’ therapist at the evaluation appointment.

What do you need to bring to your child’s session?