Through the Center for Exceptional Families (CEF) medical home model of comprehensive and innovative rehabilitation care, children with special needs and their families will be supported throughout their unique life journey.
They will evolve and grow in strength to advocate for health, education, independence, and community inclusion. They will learn to negotiate the joys and realities of living with differing abilities, and they will emerge as young adults and families about to pursue their own dreams.
The Corewell Health Children’s Center for Exceptional Families is an “all-comers” medical and rehabilitative facility that treats all developmental disabilities, disorders, and diagnoses. Children at CEF range from mildly developmentally delayed to multiply impaired children with fragile health conditions.
Many children at the center have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism, intellectual disabilities, or genetic syndromes. Others are dealing with conditions related to other illnesses, accidents, or traumatic births.
Pediatric specialists in physical, occupational, speech, and swallowing therapies help exceptional children work to gain independence and skills that allow them to participate in the world around them.
CEF's therapists have expertise in:
Further, CEF’s applied behavior analysis (ABA) program is an evidence-based therapy approach with a focus on changing behavior; ABA interventions can increase desired skills and reduce unwanted behaviors.
CEF offers support groups for mothers, fathers, and other caregivers. This includes groups for parents of children with autism as well as educational groups on special education, community resources, financial topics, and parenting. CEF also offers We offer “Sibshops”, a recreational-based support and wellness program for siblings.
Fitness, nutrition, and recreational events are available for families to attend together. Additionally, the center hosts summer camps, play and social skills groups, and has created affordable private-pay options for families without insurance benefits.
In living its mission and operating a welcoming learning environment for families and professionals, CEF serves as a model for future medical professionals, educators, and families.
The inclusive opportunities offered help children and families gain confidence to demand inclusion in their communities. We provide leadership and mentoring to help teens and young adults with disabilities pursue their dreams.
As stated by Dr. Susan Youngs, medical director of CEF, “ We pride ourselves on coordinating care for children with special needs – guiding families through the overwhelming number of specialists, programs, agencies, and school issues that they face. In addition, we offer multidisciplinary medical clinics for children requiring spasticity management, autism diagnostics and follow-up, and management of chronic health conditions."
In living its mission and operating a welcoming learning environment for families and professionals, CEF serves as a model for future medical professionals, educators, and families.
The inclusive opportunities offered help children and families gain confidence to demand inclusion in their communities. We provide leadership and mentoring to help teens and young adults with disabilities pursue their dreams.
As stated by Dr. Susan Youngs, medical director of CEF, “ We pride ourselves on coordinating care for children with special needs – guiding families through the overwhelming number of specialists, programs, agencies, and school issues that they face. In addition, we offer multidisciplinary medical clinics for children requiring spasticity management, autism diagnostics and follow-up, and management of chronic health conditions."
In living its mission and operating a welcoming learning environment for families and professionals, CEF serves as a model for future medical professionals, educators, and families.
The inclusive opportunities offered help children and families gain confidence to demand inclusion in their communities. We provide leadership and mentoring to help teens and young adults with disabilities pursue their dreams.
As stated by Dr. Susan Youngs, medical director of CEF, “ We pride ourselves on coordinating care for children with special needs – guiding families through the overwhelming number of specialists, programs, agencies, and school issues that they face. In addition, we offer multidisciplinary medical clinics for children requiring spasticity management, autism diagnostics and follow-up, and management of chronic health conditions."
In living its mission and operating a welcoming learning environment for families and professionals, CEF serves as a model for future medical professionals, educators, and families.
The inclusive opportunities offered help children and families gain confidence to demand inclusion in their communities. We provide leadership and mentoring to help teens and young adults with disabilities pursue their dreams.
As stated by Dr. Susan Youngs, medical director of CEF, “ We pride ourselves on coordinating care for children with special needs – guiding families through the overwhelming number of specialists, programs, agencies, and school issues that they face. In addition, we offer multidisciplinary medical clinics for children requiring spasticity management, autism diagnostics and follow-up, and management of chronic health conditions."
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