Rehabilitation & Therapy Services

At Mary Bridge Children’s, our rehabilitation and therapy experts collaborate to help kids thrive and reach their full potential. We work with children who are experiencing developmental delays or being treated for a variety of medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, as well as injuries.

Our specialists help kids improve their mobility, social skills, communication skills and life skills, such as eating or dressing. Families turn to us because we offer:

State-of-the-art, personalized therapy. Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Services is one of 19 Neurodevelopmental Centers across the state of Washington. This designation is reserved for organizations that deliver the highest quality of therapy to children with neuromuscular or developmental disorders. Our Therapy Services team, featuring more than 125 specialists, provides occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, audiology, feeding support, assistive technology, as well as orthotics and prosthetics.

Medical treatment that improves functional outcomes. Our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team specializes in the medical management of children with conditions that affect the brain, spine and musculoskeletal system. These specialists, also known as physiatrists, look holistically at each child to help them maximize mobility and function in their everyday lives. Our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation professionals work closely with our Therapy Services team — as well as other departments and clinics across Mary Bridge Children’s — to coordinate care and treatment.

A family-centered environment. At Mary Bridge Children’s, we invite families to be part of the team. Our specialists work closely with you to set goals, evaluate progress and incorporate therapy and treatment into your child’s routine. We aim to connect you with relevant resources and put you in the best position possible to advocate for your child.

Abundant learning opportunities. Education is key to improving care and supporting the well-being of families. That’s why the Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Services team extends continuing education opportunities to the community, welcoming parents, care providers, school personnel and others. Courses explore a range of topics, from sensory processing to American Sign Language to neurodevelopmental therapy and more. We also offer an award-winning workshop for siblings of children with a disability or chronic health condition.

Leading-edge research. The Research and Movement Laboratory, housed at Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Unit in Puyallup, provides comprehensive movement evaluations for patients with movement disorders. They also see athletes for return to play evaluations. Movement evaluations provide deeper insight into how individuals move. Referring providers can use this data to tailor treatments, such as, therapies, surgeries, medications, and orthotics, to individual needs.

Our rehabilitation and therapy specialists work with children on a referral basis. Initial appointments typically last 60 minutes. On the day of your appointment, please arrive 15 minutes early to allow ample time for checking in and filling out necessary paperwork.

At your first appointment, your provider will take a detailed health history and may perform a physical exam or conduct an evaluation. Depending on the nature of your child’s situation and the service you are seeking, an evaluation may involve observing your child move, play or explore their environment. Your provider may conduct other assessments as well. In most cases, you will stay with your child during this appointment and subsequent appointments