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Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute

Kenny Kids - Coon Rapids

Kenny Kids - Coon Rapids
3111 124th Avenue NW, Suite 123
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-236-7337
Fax: 763-236-8966

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Kenny Kids Pediatric Rehabilitation Program

We are part of specialized program of Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute.

To make an appointment, call
763-236-7337.

Patient story

Kenny Kids

Scott Benz: Determination well beyond his years

Imagine being only 14 years old and suffering four ischemic strokes. That's what happened to Scott Benz during a five-month period of time.

Kenny Kids – Coon Rapids

This Kenny Kids clinic is an expansive space of indoor and outdoor fun for children participating in physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Outdoor playground

Kenny Kids' clinic in Coon Rapids

The clinic has an onsite outdoor playground with specialized spongy rubber coating for children of all abilities to access without difficulties, while remaining protected during their play. Children are found "working" on the playground while they practice using their walkers, wheelchairs and adapted bikes during their rehabilitation.

They enjoy outdoor fun on slides, climbing equipment, arm bike, paint easels, water play, speaking tubes, toddler movement equipment and an inlaid path for biking, walking, running and wheeling.


Indoor gym

Kenny Kids' clinic in Coon Rapids

The clinic also includes an indoor gym space, with room for a variety of swings and a suspended climbing ladder. However, the highlight for many children is to ride the "zip" line and fall into the "pit," a cloud of cushions. Children participate in all these activities, while working to improve strength, coordination, verbal language and cognitive skills and more.

Physical therapists provide play opportunities for children in the gym working on mobility, strength and endurance, balance, coordination and flexibility.


Virtual reality room

Kenny Kids' clinic in Coon Rapids

The fun doesn't stop here. Move into the virtual reality room, and you'll see children swimming, playing soccer, volleyball, snowboarding and more on the state of the art virtual reality system.

Here children are participating in their own video game in front of a large green screen. Like a weatherman, they watch their bodies on screen participating in many different activities. To add challenges, therapists provide hand or ankle weights, a balance pad to stand on or a therapy ball to sit on.

Therapy kitchen

Down the hall from the virtual reality room, children have an opportunity to work on feeding, swallowing and simple home skills in the therapy kitchen. Parents have an opportunity to observe their children learning new skills through the viewing window, if they choose not to be present during the treatment session. The kitchen is a valuable tool when occupational therapists and speech language pathologists complete feeding evaluations on children that are experiencing difficulty with eating or swallowing.

Evaluation and treatment rooms

The clinic also includes private evaluation rooms, as well as speech and occupational therapy treatment rooms.

In speech, you will find computer games, augmentative communication devices, books, games and toys, along with private treatment rooms for children to explore language and communication opportunities.

In occupational therapy, children have the opportunity to engage in play activities with other children at the craft table, or work with their therapist in the treatment booths. Children can dress up, play games, make crafts and play with developmentally appropriate toys targeted to their individual needs.

Kenny Kids summer 2011 classes

To register, call
763-236-7337 or
download the registration form.

Classes

Adventures in Food

Ages: 3 years and older
Dates: Wednesdays, June 12 to July 24 (no class on July 3)
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Cost: $120 per session

This small group focuses on learning and exploring new foods using the SOS approach to eating.

Let's Get Biking!

Ages: 6 years and older (able to ride a bike with training wheels, but need some extra help or haven't had success riding without them)
Dates: Mondays, May 13 to June 10 (no class on May 27)
Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
Cost: $60

Also required:

  • parent or caregiver capable of helping the child on a bike
  • child's own bike
  • child's own helmet.

This small group, led by a physical therapist, focuses on learning to ride a two-wheeled bicycle.

Friendship Club

Ages: 5 to 9 years
Dates: Mondays, July 15 to August 19
Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $120

This social skills group is for children who use a functional communication system and desire interactions with a peer group.

Talking Tykes

Ages: 2 to 3 years
Dates: Tuesdays, July 9 to August 13
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
Cost: $120

This group, led by speech-language pathologists, focuses on early language skills for children who have a limited vocabulary, are not yet combining two words, and/or have difficulty following simple directions.

Pediatric Aquatic Therapy

Session 1: Mondays, June 10 to Aug. 26
Appointments available between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m

Session 2: Wednesdays, June 12 to Aug. 28
Appointments available between 1 and 5 p.m.

Aquatic therapy is a skilled therapeutic treatment method that physical therapists utilize in a swimming pool to enhance strength, range of motion, and motor and functional skills of children who are experiencing gross motor deficits. Note: A medical referral is required for participation in the Aquatic Therapy program.

Information

Classes are carefully planned for each child to learn to take direction and interact with peers in a group setting. Children participating in groups should be able to follow simple directions and participate in a medium-sized group without 1:1 assistance.

Each class lists the functioning age level appropriate for that class. If you are unsure of your child's abilities, or if you have special concerns regarding your child, please call us at 763-236-7337 before registering. We reserve the right to change your child to another group to best meet the needs of your child.

Attendance

  • A parent or guardian must be present the first day of each class for orientation.
  • Only the enrolled child is allowed in the classroom. Each class will have a time designated for parent observation and/or instruction in home program activities.
  • To receive the most benefit children should attend each class.
  • Each class builds on skills learned in previous classes.
  • There are no make-up classes. However, any missed class information or materials will be provided.

Class instructors

All of our classes are taught by Kenny Kids therapists who specialize in pediatric rehabilitation. They are licensed occupational, physical and speech-language therapists experienced in pediatric rehabilitation.

Private-pay groups, such as the classes offered by Kenny Kids, are a great health care alternative if insurance coverage limits rehabilitation benefits.

Kenny Kids - Coon Rapids staff

Deborah Baumgarten, MA, CCC-SLP

Sara E. Carroll, MA, CCC-SLP

Jessica Jacklitch, PT

Carrie Johnson, physical therapist

Darla Johnson, OTR/L

Barbara Katzenstein, physical therapist

Sarah Leathers, physical therapist

Lisa Luke, OTR/L

Mary Lundt, MS, CCC-SLP

Karmyn Larson, OTR/L

Katie Moland, MA, CCC-SLP

Michaela Pelz, OTR/L

Lisa Rickert, MS, CCC-SLP

Sara Rohde, OTR/L, manager

Krista Simmons, MS, CCC-SLP

Erin Vesey, PT

Connier Zeller, MS, CCC-SLP

Hanna Maslowski

Hanna Maslowski: 2012 Patient of the Year

Maslowski, who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, is the recipient of SKRI's highest Inspiration Award – the 2012 Patient of the Year Award. She has been receiving therapy for several years at Kenny Kids – Coon Rapids.

Read the rest of Hanna's story
Scott Benz at the 2011 Inspiration Awards Ceremony

Scott Benz: Determination well beyond his years

Imagine being only 14 years old and suffering four ischemic strokes! That's what happened to Scott Benz in 2010. The strokes occurred during a five-month period of time until a Microplex coil was inserted into his vertebral artery to prevent further episodes.

Read the rest of Scott's story