Pediatric Rehabilitation Programs
The neurological rehabilitation program in Cuban clinics is based on the human brain’s property of neuroplasticity, the ability to recover after damage or trauma through repeated training (experience) or in response to various stimuli.
The main goals of rehabilitation centers are:
- Improving the patient’s condition
- Teaching them daily activities
- Addressing issues related to movement, balance, and walking
One of the main approaches underlying neurological treatment in Cuba involves analyzing the connection between motor function disorders and central nervous system damage. The methods used in rehabilitation programs aim to reduce body imbalance through the stretching of short muscles, strengthening weak muscles, joint development, and reducing spasticity. Repetition, periodicity, and rhythm are the three main factors that help teach the patient to control balance, walking pace, and spatial orientation. Movement, speech, and thought are the human functions that Cuban specialists restore and reinforce in their patients.
Combinations of different treatment methods are individually tailored to each specific case, based on the patient’s needs.
Various therapeutic methods are employed in the treatment program, including:
- Electro-therapy, magnetic-therapy, laser and thermo-therapy
- Ozone therapy
- Spasticity elimination
- Hippotherapy
- Hydro massage
- Podiatry
- Kinesiotherapy
- Hydrotherapy (partial and full baths)
- Water treatment in pools
- Acupuncture, Osteopathy
- Manual therapy
- Balance and proprioception training
- Nutrition, chewing, and swallowing therapy
- Speech therapy
- Play therapy (Ludotherapy)
- Occupational therapy (ergotherapy)
Autism Program
Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD) is an umbrella term for a number of spectrum disorders that can manifest themselves very differently in each person. Common signs include difficulties with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, along with perseverative interests, stereotypic body movements, rigid routines, and hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input. Typically associated with children, it can also persevere in adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control, around 1% of the world’s population has autism spectrum disorder – over 75 million people. (Other sources quote an even higher figure – 168 million). In 2022, 1 in every 100 children were diagnosed with ASD. In 2023, the CDC reported that around 1 in 36 children in the U.S. was diagnosed with autism. Despite these large numbers, the general public had known little about this codition until fairly recently. It was Barry Levinson’s film Rain Man (1988) and Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) that raised public awareness of this serious issue.
Cuba does take ASD seriously. The Borrás-Marfán pediatric university hospital in Havana initiated a project for early and comprehensive care for children with ASD that won the Eureka 2022 World Science Award According to MEDICC Review, Cuba has developed “an integrated and individualized treatment protocol designed to modify behavior and increase skillset by using positive reinforcement; a baseline is established for each child measuring their responses to a series of trials— desired behavioral responses are rewarded, negative or incorrect responses are ignored—and their progress tracked as they improve, with positive reinforcement provided to motivate them to keep striving and learning.”
Program Details
The standard program lasts 25 days / 24 nights.
The cost starts at US$ 4,930 per patient WITH A COMPANION IN A DOUBLE ROOM.
Program includes FB (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and transfer from airport to medical facility and back.
The following evaluative program is based on the method Neuropoint to advance later to a therapeutic program for education, stimulation to enhance the quality of life, mental and physical capacity in children up to 6 years old:
1st Stage
- Consultation with specialist in Paediatrics, Physiatrist, Psychology and Neurology.
- Medical consultation with logopaedics and phoniatry.
- Basic laboratory research: CBC, Erythrocyte sediment rate, Glycaemia, GPT, Creatinine, VDRL, lactic acid.
- Electroencephalogram
- Visual, Audition and somatic – sensitive evoked potentials.
- Psychological orientation and treatment for family functioning, Brunet - Lezine.
2st Stage
- Physiotherapy and daily activities training with Neuropoint method exercises to stimulate development (therapeutic gym)
- Electric current Tens.
- Equine therapy
- Language rehabilitation
- Final report and recommendations.
Note: This is a general program and could be adjusted to the particular needs of the patient. According to the findings the doctors would recommend the most suitable treatment.