Walter J. Lawson Children's Home
Address: 1820 Walter Lawson Drive
Loves Park, IL 61111
Phone: (815) 633-6636
Number of Beds: 93
GENERAL INFORMATION
Walter Lawson Children's Home is a well designed
residence for non-ambulatory children who are severely and profoundly
handicapped. Our skilled staff serves as an extended family whose care,
concern, and attention provide a warm, homelike atmosphere.
Our attractive, colorful facility reveals both our philosophy and our
attention to detail. We believe that every child is unique and deserves
to experience a meaningful and happy life. We support every child's
right to enjoy daily living, share warm social relations, and realize
his fullest potential.
We create not only a caring, friendly, and nurturing environment, but
also excellent developmental programs that serve each child's special
needs. Our comprehensive nursing and education programs stimulate
learning, growth, and self-help skills and provide innovated care for
complex medical needs and profound disabilities.
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Our special education programs are tailored to promote
and to direct each child's potential. They result from thorough analysis
of the child's potential. They result from the child's abilities in
motor development, self-care, socialization, language and communication.
This analysis is conducted by our licensed physical, and speech
therapists, and through methods of appraisal designed by certified
special educators. Using these evaluations, we develop an Individualized
Educational Plan for each child. This plan includes both short-and
long-term goals and concentrated learning activities to attain these
goals. The home's daily educational and Developmental training program
emphasizes four areas of skill development:
SENSORY MOTOR INTEGRATION
SELF-HELP
Through these carefully designed programs we foster and enhance each child's awareness of, and involvement in, dressing, eating, bathing, and other necessary personal functions. .
LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION
Through daily living activities, we provide many varied opportunities for acquiring expressive and receptive language skills. To the best of their abilities, the children develop usable communications systems, including responsive gestures, sign language, communication boards, augmentative communication devices, and spoken words.
POSITIONING
Therapeutic positioning helps inhibit use of abnormal patters and promotes functional experiences. We choose the best position for the individual to provide pressure relief and comfort, limited fatigue, improved breathing posture and digestion. Various positioning techniques promote better use of their hands and eyes. Custom made equipment is used to enhance movement and function. This includes sidelyers, pronelyers and custom made seating systems.
NURSING PROGRAM
Our skilled nursing staff directs the medical care of all
children twenty-four hours each day. Our physicians make routine visits
to the home and are on emergency call. In addition, various medical
specialists within the community complement our staff. The exceptional
efforts of our nursing and educational staffs are integrated through
continuous intercommunication. For example, each child has an
Individualized Plan, developed through evaluations, incorporating
individualized goals into daily living.
Our nursing assistants are responsible for the daily physical care such
as bathing, dressing, and feeding of their children. Through specialized
techniques, our staff provides affectionate care and attention.
Our kitchen staff and dietitian works together to develop individualized
menus. This includes a variety of tastes and textures adapted to the
personal dietary needs and oral motor skills of each child.
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES
Besides these daily activities, our children enjoy outings to neighborhood parks, community facilities, and special attractions. Some of our most memorable outings include; Rockford Lightning Games, Rockford Speedway, professional wrestling, musical concerts, the circus, and hayrides. Our highlight of the summer is our annual camp program. These diverse opportunities help to broaden the children's awareness of and interest in their environment.
ADMISSION POLICIES
Admission to the Lawson Home is open to all children
regardless of race, creed, sex, or national origin. Our
interdisciplinary team requires a complete medical summary to evaluate
the appropriateness of each admission. Final acceptance is based on each
child's developmental level and the home's capacity to meet the child's
needs appropriately. Residents of the home are eligible for various
state and federal aid programs that defray the costs of care. Following
admission, educational placement is determined by a team of school
professionals and the parents to appropriately meet the needs of the
child.
Upon admission to the home, each child is given a comprehensive
examination and evaluation on which the child's program of care and
training is based. The child's progress within this program is closely
monitored by our staff. The program is routinely re-evaluated to ensure
its effectiveness. Parents are always welcome to visit their children
and to discuss their progress-no appointment is needed. Parents are an
important part in development of the education program.
Walter Lawson Children's Home is licensed by the state as a private, not
for profit, skilled pediatric facility for the care of developmentally
disabled children. It meets all government rules, regulations, and
standards concerning services, equipment, and physical plan. It is also
approved for participation in Title XIX, Medicaid.
For further information about admission, fees, and services, contact:
Theo
Brandel-Administrator
1820 Walter Lawson Drive
Loves Park, Illinois 61111
(815) 633-6636
Mission Statement
Operation of Long-term Care Facilities
Operation of Independent Living Facilities
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