TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program

Learning to live with a brain injury requires newly honed skills. The Challenge Program provides a comprehensive range of services to help brain injury and stroke survivors maximize their potential, celebrating milestones and successes through each step of recovery. Specialized services focus on community integration skills critical for the transition to independent living, school, work or volunteer activities following brain injury. This outpatient day treatment approach addresses the physical abilities, memory strategies, interpersonal communication and problem solving skills needed for long-term success.

The purpose of rehabilitation is to build strength, new skills and confidence to continue daily activities despite the effects of the brain injury. On average, clients participate in the Challenge Program for four months. Diagnoses of the clients admitted to the program may include:

• Acquired brain injury
• Brain tumor
• Infection of the brain
• Brain hemorrhage
• Stroke
• Hypoxia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease

Accreditation

TIRR Memorial Hermann has also been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for The Challenge Program at both The Woodlands and Kirby Glen locations.

We Get Results

The Challenge Program can document amazing success after more than 20 years of treating brain injury survivors. The program gathers information on client progress from admission to discharge and beyond. Our outcome studies show that, on average, 93% of those completing the treatment program met their independence and personal safety goals, decreasing their need for supervision at home and in the community. 90% of clients who completed the program met their volunteer or work goals. 100% of adolescent clients completing their treatment program met their independence and personal safety goals. 80% of adolescents completing the program returned to school.

Goals Focus on Improving

• Mobility skills such as safety, endurance, balance, and walking independently over different types of terrain
• Speech and language communication skills
• Thinking skills such as memory and problem solving
• Emotional adjustment and social interaction in the home, community and workplace

Family Involvement is Essential

Brain injury touches the entire family, not just one member. Family counseling and education are key elements in the client’s success. Together, the client, family members and staff review the progress made in the program, home and community. Goals are revised according to the individual’s progress and changing life situation.

Specialized Programs for Specific Needs Within Challenge

Utilizing our extensive experience, the Challenge Program has developed specialized programs to address specific neurological disorders and conditions including multiple sclerosis, mild dementia, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

Independence services focus on safety and productivity at home and in the community, communication skills, mobility, family education and adjustment.

Employment services teach compensatory strategies and provide support to facilitate return to work. Services include pre-employment job trials, job-seeking assistance, job coaching and consultation with employers.

Educational services prepare the high school and post-secondary school student to succeed in an educational environment. Therapy staff consults with school personnel about appropriate accommodations in the academic setting.

Services also include:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Cognitive Rehabilitation
• Neuropsychological Treatment
• Counseling and Vocational Rehabilitation

TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program can provide selected treatment to people whose preferred language is Spanish.

The client must have a brain injury, multiple sclerosis, dementia or an acquired neurological condition with a cognitive impairment. Requirements for acceptance into the community re-entry program include medical stability, basic self-care skills and an ability to benefit from the program. In addition, we prefer the client have a friend or relative committed to serving as a partner in the rehabilitation process. Challenge Program clients are required to be 16 years or older. Further inclusion/exclusion criteria and exceptions are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Admission to the Challenge Program requires a diagnosis and prescription from a referring physician. We welcome self-referrals as well as referrals from family members, case managers, insurance companies and health care professionals (pending physician approval).

Scope of Services

The TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program is an outpatient rehabilitation program which provides vocational services to patients 16 years of age or older. Patients younger than 16 years of age will be admitted on a case-by-case basis.

The TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program is committed to providing individualized treatment to patients to help them achieve their identified vocational outcomes and meaningful functional activities in the community. This vocational rehabilitation approach considers the behavioral, cognitive, and medical, physical, and functional issues of patients.

The TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program is intended for individuals with neurological injuries whose recovery has left residual cognitive, physical and/or behavioral impairments that significantly interfere with the person's ability to function safely and independently in the community and/or home.

The TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program operates Monday thru Saturday, 08:00 am to 5:00 pm providing individualized rehabilitation services at two separate locations: TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient at the Kirby Glen Center, Houston and TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient, The Woodlands. Under certain circumstances arrangements can be made for patients to stay later to accommodate family needs.

Referral sources include but are not limited to in area, and out of area, acute care hospitals, community physicians, government funding sources, Worker Compensation as well as patient self-referrals.

Funding sources may include private insurance, worker’s compensation, government programs (i.e., Medicare) and self-pay.

A TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program patient must be medically stable and would be able to benefit from the program. The patient should be able to participate in all aspects of the TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program including cognitive/behavioral services. Patients admitted to the TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge program will have a neurological diagnosis with documented cognitive/behavioral deficits.

For more information about the TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge Program, download our fact sheet:

• TIRR Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Challenge Program Fact Sheet - English | Español
• TIRR Memorial Hermann Kirby Glen Challenge Program Fact Sheet - English | Español

To make a referral or to schedule an appointment, please call 1 (800) 44-REHAB (73422), (713) 797-5942, fax (713) 797-5988 or fill out our online forms by clicking the buttons below.

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