Paediatric Rehabilitation at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
This guide is for families whose child is beginning or continuing rehabilitation at Holland Bloorview following serious injury.
What Families Need to Know When a Child Is Seriously Injured
When a child is seriously injured, parents are faced with overwhelming decisions, fast-moving medical information, and deep uncertainty.
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Canada’s largest paediatric rehab centre, often becomes involved after initial treatment at hospitals like Sunnybrook.
This guide helps families understand what to expect, how paediatric rehabilitation works, and what the next stage of recovery may look like.
What Holland Bloorview specializes in
Holland Bloorview provides rehabilitation care for children and youth with complex injuries, disabilities, and developmental needs. Care is designed around the understanding that children are still growing, learning, and developing.
Holland Bloorview commonly supports children with:
Traumatic Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
Orthopaedic Trauma
Neurological Injury
Complex Multi-System Injuries
Rehabilitation focuses not only on physical recovery, but also on communication, cognition, emotional regulation, education, and social development.
When families first hear about Holland Bloorview
When a child is seriously injured, parents are faced with overwhelming decisions, fast-moving medical information, and deep uncertainty.
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Canada’s largest paediatric rehabilitation centre, is often introduced after initial treatment at hospitals like Sunnybrook. This stage focuses on recovery, development, and long-term support.
What Holland Bloorview specializes in
Holland Bloorview provides rehabilitation care for children and youth with complex injuries, disabilities, and developmental needs. Care is designed around the understanding that children are still growing, learning, and developing.
Holland Bloorview commonly supports children with:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Orthopaedic trauma
- Neurological injury
- Complex multi-system injuries
Rehabilitation focuses not only on physical recovery, but also on communication, cognition, emotional regulation, education, and social development.
Starting Rehabilitation at Holland Bloorview
Families are often introduced to rehabilitation while their child is still in hospital. These early discussions are part of planning, not always an immediate transfer.
It is normal to feel uncertain or overwhelmed. Taking time to ask questions and understand options is appropriate.
Why Paediatric Rehabilitation Is Different
Children are not small adults. A serious injury can affect how a child moves, thinks, communicates, learns, and relates to others. These effects may change over time as the child grows.
Paediatric rehabilitation must account for:
- Physical growth and changing mobility needs
- Brain development and learning
- Emotional and behavioural regulation
- Social participation and independence
- Family dynamics and caregiver wellbeing
Rehabilitation plans are regularly reassessed as the child develops. What works at one age may need to change later.
What Rehabilitation Looks Like at Holland Bloorview
Care is individualized and team-based, involving a range of specialists. Therapy may focus on mobility, communication, cognitive skills, behaviour, and daily independence. Progress is not always steady, and plateaus are a normal part of recovery.
Therapy may focus on:
- Mobility and strength
- Communication and swallowing
- Cognitive skills such as attention and memory
- Emotional regulation and behaviour
- Daily activities and independence
Progress is rarely linear. Children may have periods of rapid improvement followed by plateaus. This is normal and does not mean rehabilitation has failed.
The Role of Families in Paediatric Rehabilitation
Families are central to rehabilitation and often participate in therapy and care planning.
This involvement can be both empowering and exhausting. Parents should feel comfortable asking for support, clarification, and breaks.
School, Long-Term Planning, and Discharge
Rehabilitation also includes school planning, long-term care needs, and preparation for life after discharge. Support may involve education plans, outpatient therapy, equipment, and ongoing services.
These needs evolve over time, and planning happens gradually.
A Final Note for Families
There is no single path through paediatric rehabilitation. Progress may be uneven, and every child’s recovery is different.
Families are allowed to feel uncertain, ask questions, and focus on one step at a time.
LINKS TO GUIDES
Frequently Asked Questions Families Often Ask in Hospital
Why was Holland Bloorview recommended for my child?
Holland Bloorview specializes in paediatric rehabilitation and developmental care. It is designed to support children with complex injuries over time.
How long will my child stay at Holland Bloorview?
Length of stay varies widely depending on the injury, recovery pace, and goals of rehabilitation. Some children attend for weeks, others longer.
Will my child continue therapy after discharge?
Many children continue therapy after discharge, either through outpatient programs, school-based supports, or community services.
Do families need help managing funding during paediatric rehabilitation?
Many families seek support to manage funding, documentation, and insurer communication so they can focus on their child’s care.