Easter Seals Disability Services

Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region offers an innovative intensive program that is unique and has been achieving significant results in other parts of the country.  It has allowed children to accelerate their progress in achieving developmental milestones. The program uses a specific Universal Exercise Unit and a TheraSuit to facilitate and accelerate the child's skill development.

The SuitABILITY Program provides intense physical and occupational therapy with nutrition therapy consultation. It is for children over three years old with cerebral palsy, developmental delays, traumatic brain injury, post stroke, ataxia, atethosis, hypertonia and hypotonia.

Benefits include improved head and trunk control, improved balance and coordination, decreased uncontrolled movements, improved body and spatial awareness, strengthening, improved speech production and fluency, improved gait pattern and increased development of fine and gross motor skills.

The Universal Exercise Unit allows each patient to perform independent and isolated movements with gravity eliminated (via suspension)for strengthening activities. The unit also allows the child to develop dynamic skills while he is supported and his therapist facilitates transitional movements.

The TheraSuit is a modification of a suit which was originally designed by Russian scientists to minimize the physical effects of weightlessness for astronauts. The suit consists of a cap, vest, shorts, kneepads and shoes with hooks and bungee-like cord adjusted to provide resistance and tactile input. This input provides improved proprioception of the joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons and joints and it facilitates symmetrical alignment of children.

Each three-week session consists of four-hour days over five-day weeks. The first day of each session includes an individual evaluation of each child and the development of goal focused treatment plans utilizing input from the child and his family.

The preparatory phase of each treatment day includes hot packs and massage.Following this are joint mobilization, range of motion and stretching. Finally, there are strengthening exercises, vestibular training, developmental activities training and gait training. The TheraSuit and the Universal Exercise Unit are incorporated into this part of the program.

Click here to read the SuitABILITY brochure.

Please complete the Registration Form and Intake Packet and send to:
Admissions Coordinator
Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region
830 South Addison Avenue
Villa Park, IL  60181                                                                

    For more information, please contact us.