Our Services

Smart Suite

As a community leader in Assistive Technology services, Children’s Hospital offers Smart Suite as part of its comprehensive program. Smart Suite provides a simulated home environment adapted with the latest and most versatile technology available. Featuring accessible kitchen, bedroom, living room and bathroom settings, the area is equipped with an assortment of assistive technology devices. Individuals of all ages may be tested and trained on equipment that will maximize their ability to perform daily living, education, work, and leisure activities more independently. Unique to central Virginia, Smart Suite showcases what is available in the market today, ranging from low tech and low cost items to more sophisticated and expensive technology.

Services

Smart Suite offers a setting for comprehensive assistive technology services for all ages, including:

  • Evaluation and recommendations by Occupational, Physical and/or Speech therapists specifically trained in assistive technology
  • Assistance in obtaining recommended equipment and services through funding advocacy with public and private insurers and resources
  • On-site evaluations and consultations at home
  • Training of individual, family and relevant team or community members
  • Follow-up and evaluation of outcomes of use of equipment
  • Re-evaluation as individual’s needs change over time

Benefits

Smart Suite offers many advantages to those who need the technology as well as family/caretakers, community professionals and other health care providers, including:

  • Access and increased awareness of the latest technology in a supportive environment geared to helping individuals learn to compensate for their disability and live as independently as possible in their home/facility environment
  • Place to try and receive training on equipment to make clinically appropriate and financially responsible purchasing decisions for each individual’s specific needs
  • Expert guidance in the selection of assistive equipment

Program Serves All Ages

Due to the uniqueness of this program, Children’s Hospital offers Assistive Technology services to all ages, with keen awareness of the developmental concerns of each age range:

Preschool and Elementary Children:

  • Evaluation and training for age-appropriate daily living activities important to a growing child, such as snack preparation, bathing options, and accessibility to clothing.

Middle and High School Youth:

  • Assistive daily living aids and trainng to help promote independence during teen years, including accessible kitchen appliances and adaptive cabinetry to assist in meal preparation, bathing and dressing aides, and grooming aids.
  • Assistance in transitioning to other environments following high school years, ranging from a college setting to life at home, independent apartment living or an assisted living facility.

Young Adult/Adults:

  • Independent Living Evaluations addressing assistive living aids such as transfer devices; adapted kitchen, bed and bath equipment; and environmental control unit technology (e.g., voice-controlled lights, TVs, DVD players and thermostats); adapted door locks; consultation for options for working from home as well as adapted home computer access for continued learning, communication, and leisure activities.
  • Focus on promotion of highest level of independence should transition from living independently in home or apartment to an assisted living environment in a continuous care retirement community or group home setting, be needed.

Information & Referrals
Referrals for Smart Suite may be made by calling Patient Services at (804) 228-5818 or Toll Free (800) 443-0893 and specifiying the need for an AT evaluation and/or services. Referrals for AT can be made by physicians, school systems, families, employers, rehab providers and others. To ensure that services provided meet the patient’s needs, background information, including medical and educational history, environments in which the person functions (e.g., work, school, home), and history of AT use is collected before an evaluation is scheduled. TDD via Virginia Relay Center is available by calling (800) 828-1120.

The information on this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it does not contain specific medical advice. If you have specific health questions or problems, consult a health care professional for personal medical advice.