At SER de Puerto Rico, physical rehabilitation is offered under an interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and personalized approach to help participants recover physical function, improve mobility, alleviate pain, regain independence, and participate in activities of daily living, promote functional communication skills and a safe and healthy eating process.
Medical Team
SER de Puerto Rico has the team of clinical specialists required in a rehabilitation program that allows for the articulation of a holistic and interdisciplinary approach necessary for the optimal development of the skills required for independent living.
Physiatrists
Other Specialists
geneticists
Puerto Rico has fewer than five (5) geneticists to serve the entire population. For more than two decades, SER has had the support, guidance and services of Dr. Alberto Santiago Cornier and Dr. Simón Carlo. Notably, the American Society for Human Genetics has made Dr. Alberto Santiago-Cornier, MD, PhD a recipient of the 2021 Mentoring Award. Among the expert's contributions are his genome-wide association studies, with special interest in genetic disorders that are prevalent in the Puerto Rican/Hispanic populations and is recognized for being the founder of the first genetic research and of the Association of Metabolic Disorders in Puerto Rico.
Equipment for Medical Processes or Diagnostic Images.
EMG
Electromyography (EMG)® is a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons).
EEG or Encephalogram
The EEG or Encephalogram is a study of brain function that collects the electrical activity of the brain in a basal situation and with activation methods, such as hyperventilation and photostimulation.
Butterfly iQ+
It is used to perform ultrasound-guided injection procedures in the management of pain and spasticity.
Social work
At SER the Social Worker is the link with all clinicians, therapists and teachers to maintain communication and facilitate processes. The social worker becomes the ally, the support and guide throughout the rehabilitation process with the participant and the family.
The social work staff is the first link for guidance and services with families seeking help at SER de Puerto Rico. They provide guidance on the eligibility criteria to receive services in the organization as well as other community services. Social workers promote the well-being of families that have children and adults with various conditions that cause functional diversity. Through these services, they impact the personal, family and social aspects of SER participants.
Social workers attend to the particular needs of each family since SER does not deny services for economic reasons. These professionals conduct assessments to determine available alternatives, including financial assistance.
Therapies
Physical therapy
Physical therapy professionals work with people of all ages, from infants to older adults, and can treat a wide variety of conditions, including sports injuries, auto accidents, neurological diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and many others. Physical therapy at SER makes use of artificial intelligence and robotics technology equipment that complements the intervention and helps speed up recovery.
Speech and Language Therapy
In SER the objective is for the participants to be able to communicate adequately. Speech therapy professionals care for children and adults with neurological, sensory, articulation, hearing, sensory integration, feeding, speech processing and rhythm problems that affect communication, speech and language. They make use of adaptive communication and other high-tech equipment.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy seeks to develop, improve or restore the highest level of independence for a participatory life. It intervenes in neurodevelopment, self-care activities, studies, work and recreation. In people with sensory integration problems, therapists work with vestibular and proprioceptive strategies that help improve perception and interaction with the environment. They use high-tech equipment in addition to designing and building orthotic equipment.
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS
Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is a complement to the rehabilitation program. It is used to treat a wide range of conditions, from musculoskeletal or sports injuries, chronic diseases, pain, stiffness, to neurological conditions. The pool has a heater and salt water, as well as a crane, access ramp and adapted facilities.
Pain Management Unit
The physical therapy professionals at SER use a variety of techniques and treatments to address pain, including stretching and strengthening exercises, therapeutic massage, manual therapy, heat or cold therapy, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and laser. All these equipments are available to all participants who have a medical referral. Participants learn to perform the exercises during the treatment session.
educational therapy
It is a specialized service for the attention of participants with specific learning gaps or difficulties so that they can acquire instrumental tools to improve academic functioning. The ability to analyze, think and understand is emphasized.
Requirements and service request:
-
- Ages Kindergarten through 12th grade
- They must have specific learning problems
- Request information by writing to [email protected]
The water
Aquatic exercise program under a holistic approach and physical and social well-being for older adults. The program includes a fall prevention and risk assessment.
robotic therapy
Robotic therapy is used in a wide range of physical conditions, including:
- brain injuries
- strokes
- paralysis,
- spina bifida
- Neurological disorders
- spinal cord injuries
Devices used in robotic therapy include exoskeletons, limb training robots, guided exercise machines, and other movement assistive devices. These devices can help participants perform specific and controlled exercises, providing real-time feedback and adjustments to suit each participant's individual needs.
Lokomat
The Lokomat is an anchored exoskeleton that seeks to increase muscle strength and range of motion in the lower extremities with the purpose of facilitating or improving the walking pattern. It is a system of electronically operated robotic legs and integrating the use of a harness that reduces the weight of the participant from their lower extremities to facilitate movement. Manufactured in Switzerland.
Hunova
It is a robotic device for the rehabilitation and sensorimotor functional evaluation of the lower extremities and trunk through biofeedback and double task. It has orthopedic, neurological, sports applications and for the geriatric population. In addition, it has a fall risk assessment index that allows the clinician to identify risk factors and design a plan for the prevention of falls in the elderly. Manufactured in Italy.
armor
Robotic therapeutic exercise device for participants who have lost or have limited function in their upper extremity. People who have suffered cerebrovascular accidents, head trauma, injury or neurophysiological disorders and cerebral palsy that affect the hand and arm are benefited. Manufactured in Switzerland.
C-Mill
Suspension system designed to assess and train balance and ambulation by integrating a walking belt, virtual and augmented reality, and real-time feedback. Manufactured in Switzerland.
raphael
The Rapael Smart Rehab Solution line of devices comprises three robotic technology devices designed to promote hand and arm function through participation in fun virtual activities. Manufactured in the United States.
Immersive Virtual Reality
The REAL System is a mobile rehabilitation tool that uses immersive virtual reality to help therapists motivate participants to continue participating in rehabilitation. Promotes the physical (upper extremities, lower extremities and trunk) and cognitive rehabilitation of the participant. Manufactured in the United States.
Nirvana
Nirvana® is a device that uses the immersive virtual reality technique for the motor and cognitive neurorehabilitation of the participants. Promotes developmental milestones: crawling, crawling, kneeling, reaching, midline crossing, among others. Manufactured in Italy.
Multisensory Laboratory
It is an environment created to stimulate the senses. Adapted with materials and equipment prepared to provide diverse sensory experiences. Manufactured in England and Canada.
Biomechanical Laboratory
Clinical measurement system of the ambulation pattern that allows monitoring, in three dimensions (3D), how the gait develops, collecting information from measures such as: gait speed, length of steps, weight transfer, muscle strength, among others. Manufactured in Italy.
How to access the services?
The process to receive SER services is easy and accessible, in any of our centers in: San Juan, Ponce and Ceiba. The social workers are available to guide the families and, together with them, determine if SER is the best service alternative to meet the identified needs and/or accompany the family in the search for other service alternatives according to the diagnosis and its particular needs. The three centers have the same services and all have high-tech robotic equipment to ensure that they receive the same quality of intervention.
Early intervention
Neonates and/or infants under 18 months with early diagnosis or whose birth is considered high risk due to being premature, low weight or traumatic birth are treated with priority. In the same way, the conditions acquired by cardiovascular accidents, motor vehicle accidents, physiological traumas, surgeries and others, whose recovery depends on the promptness that essential services are received.
What conditions do we serve?
We serve children, youth and adults with: Conditions of the Central Nervous System, Neuromuscular, Connective Tissue, Developmental Delay, Orthopedic, Genetic Syndromes, Amputations and Limb Malformations, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Disorders and Pain Management.
Admission Criteria Physical Rehabilitation Program
Those who meet the following criteria will be considered eligible to receive services at the rehabilitation center:
- Children (as) from 0-5 years with developmental deficiency.
- Children 3 years of age and older who attend our Lic. Guillermo Atiles Moreu school in San Juan, as long as they are benefiting/progressing and are not in a “plateau” or stagnation.
- Children from 5 to 12 years old with specific learning problems, with average IQ.
- Children from 0 to 8 years with 11 months with the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Children and Adults with acquired conditions such as: accidents, CVA (within the first year of being discharged from the hospital or having been diagnosed), other recent acquired conditions (TBI, polytrauma, etc.).
- People with arthritis in acute or exacerbated stage and other rheumatological conditions.
- People for the construction of static splints for upper extremities (Occupational Therapy).
- Children from 0 to 8 years with 11 months, with articulation or fine motor coordination problems who do not have a diagnosis of physical disabilities or cognitive or emotional delay.
- Participants must be medically stable and NOT require respiratory assistance. These cases should be referred to other organizations.
- Participants must NOT present extreme aggressive behaviors that affect their safety and that of others, for not responding to external controls.
- Receive therapeutic services exclusively at SER and not at the same time at another therapy center to avoid duplication, unless it is a specialized therapy that is not offered at our rehabilitation center.
- Other reasons for admission are discussed and weighed on a case-by-case basis with the Medical Director.
It is the analysis that allows us to grant services to low-income families. Besides; we provide services through the Department of Special Education and accept various medical plans.
Psychology
The Department of Behavioral Sciences is an interdisciplinary team that integrates science and practice in order to provide exceptional services in mental health care. SER focuses on the treatment of children and adolescents with a special interest in neurodevelopmental disorders.
HER de PR recognizes the importance of mental health as an integral part of physical rehabilitation. That is why it has an adult psychiatrist with a pediatric subspecialty focused on neurodevelopmental disorders. The integration of this allows expanding the services to participants within the Autism Spectrum, with neurodevelopmental disorders and various conditions that often do not have access to this service.
As part of its commitment to the Academy, SER has a practice and internship program for psychology students at the doctoral level.
Services
- Psychological evaluations including tests of intelligence, academic achievement, Social-emotional, Personality and Achievement
- Evaluate and diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Individual interventions and consultations.
Clinical Team Department of Behavioral Sciences
We provide care to children and adults; including participants and their families.
SER is the only center in Puerto Rico that has programs for participants with Autism from 18 months to adulthood.
ABA Program
The ABA Learning Zone is an interdisciplinary early intervention program for children with autism with the goal of positively impacting their developmental trajectory by allowing them greater integration in the different contexts they frequent. This intervention seeks to provide participants with multiple opportunities for the development of essential learning skills, focusing on the acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of adaptive and functional skills in the areas of communication, play, prerequisite learning, social skills, and self-help skills. and independence.
Participation in the program includes 3 components:
- ABA therapy, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy services to foster the holistic development of the participant,
- interdisciplinary collaboration
- Parent training.
Admission Criteria
- Admission requirements are: diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, being between 18 months and a maximum of 4 years and 2 months of age, and family willingness to participate in parent training and offer follow-up at home.
Social Connection Program
Social skills program for adults over 18 years of age with Autism. The goal is to teach basic socialization skills such as starting conversations, making friends, and sustaining meaningful relationships. In addition, it facilitates the integration of the participants to social settings such as universities and work.
Admission requirements:
- Autism Diagnosis
- Young people from 18 years to 25 years.
- Be available and willing to participate weekly in a social skills program.
- Have support resource attend weekly sessions
- Contact: [email protected]
*Available in San Juan.
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