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Children's Mercy offers a collaborative model of care for children with physical disabilities that interfere with normal functioning. Our team of diverse specialists provide early and intensive interventions to maximize a child's function and development.

Our mission is to improve and maintain quality of life for the more than 5,000 children and families we serve through inpatient care, outpatient clinics, day treatment and home care.

We work closely with families to develop individualized care that reflects current research and practice trends while incorporating family values and goals. We are committed to continuity in care and the wise utilization of health care resources.

We have six physiatrists on staff who are the only pediatric board-certified and fellowship-trained rehabilitation specialists in the region. Our team also includes two physician fellows, residents, four nurse practitioners, two social workers, a rehabilitation psychologist, a triage nurse/coordinator and clinic coordinators.

Clinical Services

Licensed medical acupuncturists, who are also specifically pediatric rehabilitation providers, will design and implement a treatment plan to address many common symptoms in children with impairments.

The Adaptive Sports Medicine program at Children’s Mercy provides comprehensive evaluation and guidance for children and teens with all types of disabilities who want to participate in sports. The program combines elements of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine to ensure equitable access to sports medicine and musculoskeletal care for participants with impairments.

The Amputation and Limb Differences Clinic helps children with amputations and limb differences whether congenital or acquired. Our philosophy is to encourage self-confidence and maximize function and independence in every aspect of daily life, while meeting the goals of the child and family.

Children's Mercy works with children who require a baclofen pump to treat cerebral palsy, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and spasticity disorders. The Baclofen Refill Clinic is available for patients with an implanted Baclofen pump. Nurse practitioners provide Baclofen refills and adjustments to Baclofen pumps as well as trouble-shooting for pump complications.

Brachial Plexus Clinic

The Brachial Plexus Clinic is a comprehensive clinic for the evaluation of children that have sustained a brachial plexus injury. Each child is evaluated by the Brachial Plexus team and given an individualized plan of care.

Children's Mercy offers the only pediatric stroke center in the region. In this clinic, each child is seen by Hematology, Neurology, Rehabilitation Medicine, PT, OT, Neuropsychology, and Social Work to help identify underlying factors that may have contributed to the initial stroke, assess risk of stroke recurrence, identify ways to improve functional and cognitive outcomes, and provide appropriate resources to optimize outcomes.

The Day Treatment Program at Ability KC transitions kids from inpatient rehabilitation to home, school and community. The only program of its kind in the region, this individually tailored program provides intensive multidisciplinary evaluation, and therapies, to maximize the abilities of each child. 

The EMG laboratory at Children's Mercy is the first accredited electromyography lab by the American Academy of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) specifically for pediatric patients in the country. An EMG test is used to record the electrical activity of muscles and nerves to aid in diagnosing congenital, traumatic, or acquired injuries that affect muscle movement or sensation.

Children's Mercy offers a comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Program for children and adolescents with brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurologic disorders, brain/spinal cord tumors, trauma, and other issues that result in a change in function.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic

In the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, we evaluate patients with a newly acquired mild brain injury (concussion) using a computerized program called IMPACT. This clinic is attended by a rehabilitation physician, rehabilitation nurse practitioners and a neuropsychologist. We may consult neurology, social services and behavioral and developmental pediatrics as needed.

The Movement Disorder and Spasticity Clinic is one of the only clinics in the nation that provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary clinic for children with complex movement and spasticity disorders.

The Muscle and Nerve Clinic serves children with Duchenne's or Becker's muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, congenital myopathy, and other conditions resulting in abnormal nerve and/or muscle function. We coordinate care to accomplish diagnostic tests and consultations with cardiology, pulmonology, orthopedics, genetics and other pediatric specialists.

The Division of Rehabilitation Medicine operates a variety of clinics tailored to the specific needs of the children we serve. We provide outpatient services at five locations in Kansas and Missouri.

The Spinal Differences Clinic is a multi-disciplinary clinic for comprehensive management of children with spina bifida, spinal cord trauma or illness, and other spinal cord defects.

Children’s Mercy rehabilitation medicine physicians offer cutting-edge treatments for children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Currently, there are two FDA-approved treatment options for SMA, Spinraza and Zolgensma. Children’s Mercy offers both these treatments for children who qualify.

The Children's Mercy Comprehensive Stroke Center is a multidisciplinary stroke clinic that is prepared to respond quickly to any child who comes in with stroke symptoms. The pediatric stroke team includes specialists from neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, anesthesiology and the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Tone Management Clinic

In the Tone Management Clinic, we administer Botox and phenol injections for spasticity (or tight muscles). A rehabilitation physician (or physiatrist) will perform the procedure.

Torticollis Clinic

In the Torticollis Clinic, we offer advanced, non-surgical treatments for children with refractory congenital torticollis. Each patient receives medical and physical therapy evaluations and recommendations. A rehabilitation physician and a physical therapist are on-site to evaluate each patient.

In the Wheelchair and Adaptive Seating Clinic, children who need wheelchairs, other customized seating and positioning devices are evaluated by a multi-disciplinary team.

Stories

Cerebral Palsy: Samuel's Story

Samuel Burroughs has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects muscle tone, movement and balance, due to brain injury at birth. Nothing stops his million-dollar smile, though. Samuel’s parents work closely with his care teams in several departments at Children’s Mercy to help him have the best possible quality of life.

Meet Samuel

International Services: Tobias' story

Tobias was born in China. He was born with spina bifida and when he was five months old a small hole in heart was closed with surgery. The International Services team at Children's Mercy helped Tobias' mom plan for his care in Kansas City with all of his specialists in one place.

Severe spasticity and dystonia: Josie's story

At three-years-old, a rare condition damaged Josie’s brain, impacting her ability to speak and leaving her with a severe movement disorder. The Children’s Mercy Comprehensive Movement Disorders and Spasticity Clinic recommended an intrathecal baclofen pump be implanted, and now Josie is on the road to recovery.

Meet Josie
Severe spasticity and dystonia patient, Josie, pushing her hand against adult's hand

Inside Pediatrics: Martin's story

Go inside the operating room to see surgeons give young Martin the gift of greater movement.

Make an appointment


To make an appointment, refill prescriptions or speak to a nurse, call (816) 234-3970.

To change an appointment time, call (816) 234-3790.


Rehabilitation clinic locations:


Children's Mercy Adele Hall Campus

Children's Mercy College Boulevard

Children's Mercy East

Children's Mercy Northland

Services also are available through Children's Mercy Home Care and outreach clinics

 

Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship

The Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) Fellowship is a two-year ACGME-accredited fellowship designed to develop advanced skills in the diagnosis and treatment of children with disabilities.