Pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) – also known as physiatry or rehabilitation medicine – focuses on enhancing and restoring function and improving the quality of life for children and teens with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.
At Cooper University Health Care, our pediatric PM&R physiatrists help children build strength, gross and fine motor skills, coordination, balance, and endurance so they can participate fully in everyday life. Through both rehabilitation (restoring lost skills) and habilitation (developing new ones), we support children on their journey to achieve their highest level of function.
Who We Help
At Cooper, our team works with children and adolescents with a wide range of conditions, including:
- Cerebral palsy
- Concussion
- Spinal cord injury
- Brain injury
- Hemiplegia/monoplegia/quadriplegia
- Tone and spasticity management, including Botox (botulinum) injections
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spina bifida
- Burns
- Muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders
- Torticollis
- Orthotic/bracing needs
- Limb deficiency and amputation
- Stroke
- Neuromuscular disorders
Our Services
Our PM&R specialists will incorporate the appropriate treatments and coordinate care with pediatricians and other specialists. At Cooper, our team will work to prescribe exercises, bracing, equipment, or therapies along with traditional medical interventions to help optimize function for our patients. Our outpatient and inpatient services for patients include:
- Physical therapy
- Speech-language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Vision therapy
- School, athletic, and community reintegration support
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Appointment
Initial PM&R appointments are conveniently available at Cooper’s location in Camden. During this visit, we will :
- Discuss your family’s goals and concerns
- Review your child’s medical, developmental, and social history
- Conduct a physical examination focused on neurological and musculoskeletal systems
- Assess your child’s current functional abilities
Based on this evaluation, we will develop a customized treatment plan or, if needed, refer your child to a specialist.
School Re-entry
Returning to school after illness or injury can be challenging. Our pediatric rehabilitation specialist, Dr. Thomas Drake, draws on his background in education to help children successfully “return-to-learn.”
Integration Trauma and Recovery Care
As part of Cooper’s Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, our PM&R specialists provide care for severely injured or critically ill children. Our team plays a vital role in helping these patients transition from hospital care to rehabilitation and back into their communities.
Why Choose Cooper for Pediatric PM&R Care?
Families trust Cooper for expert, compassionate pediatric rehabilitation services for our:
- Specialized expertise: Our pediatric PM&R physicians are specially trained to assess and manage a wide range of physical and neurological conditions in children. We focus not only on improving physical function but also on maximizing independence in daily life.
- Multidisciplinary, team-based care: Our care team includes pediatric physiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, vision therapists, nurses, and social workers. Together, we collaborate with families and other pediatric specialists to develop and deliver individualized treatment plans.
- Family-centered support: We know that every child’s progress depends on support from home, school, and the community. Our team partners with families to set goals, coordinate care, and advocate for educational accommodations when needed—including school re-entry support after illness or injury.
- Integrated hospital-based and outpatient services: We provide inpatient consults for hospitalized children at the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, including those recovering from trauma or illness, and offer follow-up and outpatient care at our Camden location.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with a Cooper pediatric PM&R specialist, call 800.8. COOPER (800.826.6737).