Officials said, in addition to the center’s regular and specialized pediatric care, the rehabilitation services will focus on physical, speech and occupational therapy.

Therapists will help children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders; Down syndrome; cerebral palsy; orthopedic conditions; prematurity; spina bifida; muscular dystrophy; genetic abnormalities; visual perceptual deficits; sensory integration dysfunction; global development delays; apraxia; auditory processing disorders; and receptive and expressive language disorders.

“Many local children have special medical needs. We don’t believe they and their families should have to make long trips to other cities for care. That’s one key reason last year why we created our Center for Pediatrics -- to help fill a void in children’s medical care,” said Ronald L. Violi, Wheeling Hospital chief executive officer.

Violi said when a child leaves the area for health care, one or both parents usually go along.

"That can translate into lost wages, travel and lodging expenses, finding someone to care for siblings and more – all costly and inconvenient. We’re all about helping kids and their families with quality care, close to home," Violi said.

Dr. Judy Romano, Center for Pediatrics director, said pediatric rehabilitation is available for newborns through teens.

“We determined the type of rehabilitation care to provide by assessing the needs of local children. We’re excited about the team of rehab therapists we’ve assembled to meet those needs. Each is specially trained and experienced in their field. They are equally excited knowing they are making a positive difference in a child’s life,” said Romano.

Romano said the team includes Sheila Archer, speech-language pathologist; Allison Cipoletti, occupational therapist; and Nikki Kiger, physical therapist.

“While each rehab team member is well qualified, children and their families especially appreciate the team’s friendly and compassionate side – a quality found throughout our Center for Pediatrics staff,” Romano said.

Through her work in speech-language therapy, Archer said she develops communication skills important to socializing and creating relationships.

“For a child with a speech impairment, we develop a program specific to helping enhance his or her communication, something very important to communicating with parents, siblings, friends, teachers and others. We customize programs to the unique need of each child to help them become more effective communicators and language learners,” said Archer.

Romano said many people believe occupational therapy is only associated with the jobs adults perform. She said, however, an expanded definition of “occupation” includes a child’s play, learning and interaction with other people.

Cipoletti said her role as a pediatric occupational therapist is to help children meet their developmental milestones and provide therapy that enhances their ability to engage in age appropriate activities.

“A child’s occupation is to play, learn and explore, and to develop motor, social and self-care skills that will help them to become more independent adults with an improved quality of life," she said. "Each child and family deserves specialized care and we can do that."

For Kiger, the pediatric physical therapy she provides helps children develop and enhance mobility for improved participation in activities at home, at play, in the community and in the classroom.

She said, “We help children with their ability to participate and navigate through life – from crawling to running, from daily life to sports and other physical activities. We can help.”

Romano said an additional announcement concerning a unique program involving autism will be issued soon by Wheeling Hospital.

The Center for Pediatrics’ Rehabilitation Services is located at Wheeling Hospital’s Howard Long Wellness Center. For more information, call 304-243-8310.