University Children’s Hospital Zurich – Children’s Rehab Switzerland

Unfortunately, there is a very high need for psychological support for children with cancer and their parents. The children come to the Children’s Rehab Centre in Affoltern postoperatively after the neurosurgical removal of the tumour; the diagnosis is still very recent; much is uncertain for the parents; this may be followed by radiotherapy, which often begins in the Children’s Rehab Centre Switzerland with morning therapies and ends with further chemotherapy at the Paul Scherrer Institute. In addition to the tumour treatment itself, motor, speech and thinking functions must be tested and treated (such as ataxia, a severe balance disorder with gait instability/risk of falling) so that a return to the family and school environment can be achieved. Support alleviates the distress of the parents and their children and thus also significantly improves the rehabilitation outcome.