Specialty Services and Therapies

Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital is a specialty hospital for children and is committed to exceptional care, combining the most advanced treatment options available with a supportive and family-focused environment. More than 200 pediatricians represent over 30 specialties, offering a depth and breadth of services that is second to none. Opened almost 20 years ago on the campus of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Lutheran General Children's Hospital has built a reputation unique specialty clinics for children with chronic, or difficult to diagnose and treat, medical conditions.

Many of the clinics offer services rarely available elsewhere. Specialized clinics, located within the dedicated Yacktman Outpatient Pavilion at Lutheran General Children's Hospital, include:

• Child Development
• Cleft Palate
• Down Syndrome
• Educational Consulting and Evaluation
• Healthy Steps
• Martha Washington
• Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center
• Neonatal Follow-Up Program
• Pediatric Neuropsychology
• Pediatric Primary Care Center
• Pediatric Rehabilitation and Audiology
• Spina Bifida

Diagnostic and Supportive Services
To complement the care provided by our physicians and therapists, the following services are also provided on site:

• Laboratory
• Pharmacy
• Radiology
• Social Services
• Ultrasound

Children's Health Resource Center
To help parents and family members become more actively involved with the health care team in managing their child's health condition, we offer a comprehensive Children's Health Resource Center providing the most current information on an extensive array of health care topics and resources, including:

• Books
• Videos
• Interactive CD-ROMs
• Software
• Guided Internet access
• Professional journals

The center is home to the Metric Pediatric Library, featuring a collection of resources on a wide range of pediatric health, wellness and illness topics; the Emily Dorfman Learning Center, a hands-on learning experience for children, using teaching dolls, medical equipment, interactive games and more; and the Lekotek Center, with a toy-lending library and family play sessions that emphasize fun and enjoyment for children 0-8 years of age with any type of disability.

The Children's Health Resource Center also offers a variety of education and parenting classes and numerous support groups.

Child Life Program
The Child Life Program helps children, teens and family members cope with health conditions and hospitalization through therapeutic play, developmentally appropriate activities and other constructive therapies. Offering education, preparation for medical procedures, and support during treatment, recovery and rehabilitation, the program is a valuable resource for families and patients. Our child life specialists provide:

• Therapeutic and medical play
• Art and music therapy
• Recreational activities
• Preparation to reduce hospitalization anxiety and understand hospital procedures and tests
• Pre-surgical tours
• Access to computes and CD players
• Special event celebrations
• Treasure box toys, to reward patients following an invasive procedure
• School and education program help from school teachers
• Sibling support

Pre-Surgical Tour
Parents and families play an important role in the care of a sick child, or a child in need of surgery. We make every effort to integrate the child's family into the surgical management process and to provide a supportive, healing environment. The pre-surgical tour gives children ages 3-9, and family an opportunity to visit the operating room and meet with staff prior to a scheduled procedure. This special tour allows children to become more familiar and comfortable with the surgical environment and experience, helping ease their anxiety.