What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

• A spinal cord injury (SCI) is when the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spine are damaged and change how the body works.
• Spinal Cord Injuries can be life changing. They can impact:
  • Movement.
  • Self-cares like bathing, toileting, and getting dressed.
  • How well you control when you poop and pee. This is also known as bowel and bladder control.
  • Play.
  • Strength.
  • How things feel when they touch your skin.
  • Your ability to sense your body’s position and how it is moving. This is also known as proprioception.

How Does Therapy Help My Child With a SCI?

• Every SCI is different. Your medical team will work with you to support your child’s individual needs.
• Our goal in therapy is to make your child do as many things on their own as they can. We will work together towards goals that matter most to you and your family.
• Your child may need:
  • Physical Therapy: To support your child’s ability to move or to help get any special equipment to support your child with their daily activities.
  • Occupational Therapy: To support play and doing daily activities like bathing, going to the bathroom and getting dressed.
  • Speech Therapy: To support eating and speaking.
  • Bowel and Bladder Program: to help with going pee and poop.

To Learn More, Review this Resource:

SCIRE Community (Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence)

Occupational Therapy for a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Physical Therapy for a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)