The Referral Process
The Referral Process for RND/Amplified Pain Management
Following the diagnosis of RND, patients are given a prescription for an RND physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT) evaluation by the physician. This prescription is often faxed by your child's physician directly to The Children's Institute. A Pain Amplification Case History form must be completed by the patient and/or caregiver prior to being scheduled. The case history form can be obtained from either your referring physician or directly from The Children's Institute by calling 412.420.2111, or downloading the form here.
Once the prescription/referral and case history form has been received, The Children's Institute will contact your insurer to obtain authorization for the evaluation and treatment.
Upon receiving authorization, a scheduler will call you to offer you the first available appointment with one of our therapists that specializes in the evaluation of patients with RND. Evaluations are offered at our Squirrel Hill location. Please note that there may be a wait period for this evaluation.
Following your child's initial evaluation, his/her therapist will recommend the appropriate treatment.
What to Expect from the Initial Outpatient Evaluation
When you arrive at The Children's Institute, please register at the front desk located 
immediately inside the main entrance. You will receive a name tag and will then proceed downstairs to the 2nd floor outpatient waiting room. Please bring your insurance card and list of medications for the check in process. It is advised that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled evaluation time to complete the paperwork process.
The initial outpatient evaluation is completed after the RND diagnosis is made by a physician. At this evaluation, the therapist will:
- discuss the RND diagnosis and answer all questions pertaining to RND and chronic pain
- review the basic philosophies of the treatment of RND
- review your child's medical history related to the onset of his/her pain
- discuss how pain has impacted you, your child's functioning and/or the family
- assess the areas of pain
- explain the RND program at The Children's Institute, including both inpatient and outpatient treatment
- typically, provide a home exercise program (HEP) that will be completed by the child while awaiting their first scheduled treatment session
Please bring the following to the evaluation:
- the Pain Amplification Case History form, if you have not already sent it back
- any medical information, including written reports or test results, that you feel may be helpful in evaluating your child
- your child should wear comfortable clothing and sneakers to the evaluation so that physical activities can be initiated
Outpatient Psychology Treatment
Although outpatient psychology treatment is not currently offered at The Children's Institute, it is still usually recommended. The following is a guide to help you access a counselor in the community.
- Contact your insurance carrier and ask for their provider list. Each insurance carrier has its own list of providers that they are willing to authorize. Typically, psychological services are under the behavioral health portion of your plan.
- Let the carrier know what locations you are willing to consider.
- While you can ask for a provider who specializes in pain management, these providers are far and few. We recommend that you inform the carrier that your child has been dealing with chronic pain and that you are looking for someone to help them deal with the psychosocial or psychological effects of the pain. Specifically, someone who specializes in stress and stress management, as living with chronic pain is quite stressful and may worsen the pain.
- It is not necessary that the clinician be an expert with pain/pain management. It is more important that the clinician specializes in child/adolescent/family issues.
- Once you have the names of the psychologists, you are welcome to contact The Children's Institute's RND psychological staff and ask if we are familiar with any of these providers
- Once you decide on a clinician, we strongly recommend that you have that clinician contact The Children's Institute's Psychology Department at 412.420.2385. We can educate that individual on RND/RSD and provide possible recommendations to expedite and coordinate care.
