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Resources for Families

At Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, our pediatric care teams are here for you and your family. We are experts in evaluating, assessing and treating common and rare pediatric conditions.

We understand that you want to learn as much as possible about your child's diagnosis. Here are several trustworthy resources that may answer some of your questions. Remember, you can always ask your child's care team for information, too. We are here to help.

Please note: When you enter any of the sites listed below, you are leaving the Marianjoy website. This list of resources has been compiled as a convenience for informational purposes only. Marianjoy has no control over the information posted on these sites and inclusion of a site on this list does not imply any endorsement or sponsorship by Marianjoy or Northwestern Medicine. Consult your care provider if you have questions about your own medical condition or symptoms.

General Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association

More Information on Certain Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects social and communication skills and can cause behavioral challenges. Children with ASD have a range of symptoms and signs that can vary widely from person to person.

More resources:

• National Institute of Mental Health, Signs and Symptoms
• CDC, Treatment and Intervention Services
• Healthy Children, Sensory Integration Therapy

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a mental health disorder that can cause hyperactivity, trouble concentrating and impulsiveness. It affects 6.4 million children ages 4-17, and the average age of diagnosis is 7. There are three different types of ADHD.

More resources:

• National Institute of Mental Health, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Basics
• CDC, Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD
• Healthy Children
• Adapting a Communication Style With Your Child With ADHD
• Behavior Therapy for Children With ADHD

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move. It is caused by abnormal development or damage to the brain. There are different types of cerebral palsy, and symptoms vary from person to person.

More resources:

• March of Dimes, Cerebral Palsy
• CDC
• Causes and Risk Factors of Cerebral Palsy
• Screening and Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
• Treatment Services
• United Cerebral Palsy

Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is also called Down's syndrome or trisomy 21. It is a genetic disorder that causes developmental and cognitive disability. The condition occurs when a person has a third copy of the 21st chromosome.

More resources:

• CDC, Facts About Down Syndrome
• NIH, What Are Common Treatments for Down Syndrome?
• Healthy Children, Children With Down Syndrome: Health Care Information for Families

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury is damage to the brain caused by an outside force, such as an accident or injury. Symptoms vary from person to person. Some symptoms start right away while others do not show up until later.

More resources:

• NIH
• Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: Characteristic Features, Diagnosis, and Management
• How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
• Food and Drug Administration, Traumatic Brain Injury: What to Know About Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Developmental Disabilities

As your child grows, they will meet milestones, such as their first steps or their first words. Developmental disabilities can impact physical ability, learning, language and behavior. They may be marked by delayed or missed milestones. These may last for your child's lifetime and affect how they function each day.

More resources:

• Healthy Children, Children With Intellectual Disabilities
• CDC, Developmental Monitoring and Screening
• Developmental milestones record: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
• American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, Pediatric Neuropsychology

RELATED LINKS

• Pediatric Program Brochure
• Care Team
• Support Group