 Sister Kenny Rehabilitation InstituteKenny Kids - Coon RapidsKenny Kids - Coon Rapids Kenny Kids Pediatric Rehabilitation ProgramKenny Kids is a specialized pediatric rehabilitation program offered by Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Coon Rapids and in Owatonna. To make an appointment, call Patient story Scott Benz: Determination well beyond his yearsImagine 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. Healthy Communities Magazine We work with Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, to promote good health habits and information about medical procedures and services. Kenny Kids – Coon RapidsThis Kenny Kids clinic is an expansive space of indoor and outdoor fun for children participating in physical, occupational and speech therapy. Outdoor playground
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
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
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 kitchenDown 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 roomsThe 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. 
ClassesAdventures in FoodAges: 3 years and older 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) Also required:
This small group, led by a physical therapist, focuses on learning to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. Let's Get Writing!Ages: 6 to 12 years This class, led by an occupational therapist, is for children experiencing handwriting difficulties. Handwriting without Tears for Child and CaregiverAges: 4 to 6 years This group will take the tears and battles out of learning handwriting by teaching caregivers a fun, low-stress way to teach capital letters. Friendship ClubAges: 5 to 9 years This social skills group is for children who use a functional communication system and desire interaction with a peer group. InformationClasses 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
Class instructorsAll 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 staffDeborah Baumgarten, MA, CCC-SLP Sara E. Carroll, MA, CCC-SLP 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 |
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