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Programs & Services

Early Childhood Rehabilitation Services

Early Childhood Rehabilitation (ECR) provides tertiary rehabilitation for children birth to 5 years 11 months with complex medical and/or service needs.

Complex medical and/or service needs including:

  • complex neuro-developmental concerns impacting daily life or;
  • an acute change in function and/or medical instability or;
  • significant regression of skills or;
  • significant risk for deterioration of functioning

Goal-focused rehabilitation may include:

  • screening, informal / formal assessment,
  • parent / caregiver education sessions,
  • direct teaching / coaching,
  • individual and / or group sessions,
  • equipment support,
  • support with accessing community-based resources

Intervention is provided through a hybrid model including virtual health, phone and in-person appointments based on clinical/family needs. ECR does not provide home-based intervention. Based on clinical need, a child may access support from an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech language pathologist, child development specialist, registered dietitian, social worker and / or therapy assistant. ECR requires parents / caregiver readiness to actively participate in intervention sessions. With support, parents / caregivers will identify a functional goal and will be coached on how to carry-out rehabilitation recommendations in the home and community.

Contact Details

Alberta Children's Hospital

Address
28 Oki Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta
T3B 6A8
Telephone
403-955-5945
Fax
403-476-7756
Accessibility

This facility is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator on site


Elevators

Getting There

Parking map

Hours of Operation
Days of the Week

Monday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Tuesday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Wednesday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Thursday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Access
Service Providers May Include
child developmental specialists, occupational therapists (OTs), physiotherapists(PTs), registered dietitians, social workers, speech language pathologists (SLPs), therapy assistants
Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

  • children from birth to age 5 years, 11 months who reside in Alberta Health Services (AHS), Calgary zone
  • complex neuro-developmental and / or sub-acute concerns impacting daily life or
  • an acute change in function and / or medical instability or
  • significant regression of skills or
  • significant risk for deterioration of functioning

Exclusion Criteria:

  • referrals for evaluation / administration of specific standardization tools for an external organization’s funding or programming qualifications
  • referrals for group therapy only
  • referral requires support from social work only
  • requires support from a registered dietitian
  • requires support for feeding only and does not present with any additional developmental concerns requiring specialized rehabilitation intervention
Referral Needed

Referrals are accepted from:

  • pediatricians
  • family physicians
  • allied healthcare professionals
  • nurses
  • registered dietitians

There must be a physician / most responsible provider attached to the referral who consents and is prepared to order diagnostic procedures for the purpose of assessment (e.g. feeding / swallowing assessment and management with videofluoroscopy and/or endoscopy). Primary care must be retained by the physician. This is not a physician-led clinic.

Growth chart must accompany referrals for eating feeding and swallowing concerns..

Service Access

Healthcare providers should consult the Alberta Referral Directory for service referral information.

Please note: Children may not be eligible for some services if they are eligible for or already receiving supports either through: Alberta Education (inclusive of Early Childhood Services) programs, Family Support for Children with Disabilities specialized or behavioral / developmental support services, or other publicly or privately funded providers. ECR may negotiate complementary services so as to avoid duplicating services.


Wait Times

An estimated wait time will be provided at the time of appointment booking.

Service Languages
Interpreter/Translation services