Adapting Coping Skills for Pediatric Patients with Diverse Rehabilitation Presentations 1967

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: ROOM: Conference Room 4B >>> DIRECTIONS Fourth Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed left. Room 4D is at the end of the corridor, after taking a right just before Room 4-D. Walk past Room 4A; Room 4B is the second door on the right.

Corresponding Presenter(s)

Margaret A. Tunney, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist / Assistant Professor
Kennedy Krieger Institute / Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States

Slides Slides
Merideth Wirstiuk, PsyD

Assistant Professor
Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Presenter(s)

Kara Monnin, PhD

Pediatric/Rehab Psychologist
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, OH, United States

Adapting mental health interventions for pediatric patients with diverse neurorehabilitation needs is essential for effective care, yet research on tailoring interventions for children with physical, communication, respiratory, and cognitive challenges remains limited. Coping skills training has proven effective for mood, anxiety, and adjustment issues, but there is a need for more guidance on how to modify these strategies for youth with complex rehabilitation needs. This presentation will focus on adapting coping skills interventions to meet the needs of pediatric patients with varied neurorehabilitation presentations, including those with varied physical abilities, respiratory support needs (e.g., tracheostomy, ventilator), communication, and cognitive considerations. Practical interventions, clinical case examples, and outcomes related to adaptation effectiveness will be shared, offering valuable insights for clinicians working in pediatric neurorehabilitation settings.

Learning Objectives:

List special considerations in the assessment of pediatric rehabilitation populations
Describe various coping interventions including breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic relaxation, grounding, guided imagery, and cognitively focused skills.
Describe adaptations in coping skills to increase accessibility to pediatric patients with varied rehabilitation presentations.
Apply case-based insights to refine clinical practice and improve patient care outcomes.