Special Tree

Special Tree Established in 1974, Special Tree is one of the premiere rehabilitation providers for persons with brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neuro diagnoses.

Founded in 1974, Special Tree is a post-acute specialty rehabilitation center providing treatment for brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurological disorders. It was the first post-acute neuro rehabilitation organization established in Michigan. Special Tree provides a comprehensive range of care and treatment options, including Post-Acute Inpatient Neuro Rehabilitation, Outpatient Neuro Rehabilitation, Residential Neuro Rehabilitation, Day Treatment and Vocational Rehabilitation. Our specialty neurorehabilitation campus serves the greater Southeastern Michigan area, conveniently located 25 minutes from downtown Detroit and just a 10 minute drive from Detroit Metro Airport. We serve patients throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and throughout the United States. Since 1991, Special Tree has achieved accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). It is designated as a Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP), making it one of only two organizations worldwide that has received CARF accreditation for both brain injury and spinal cord injury specialties for adults in a skilled nursing facility. In 2020, Special Tree was honored with the Michigan Performance Excellence Award, the state’s highest recognition for organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance, leadership, and operational excellence, and was a Detroit Free Press Top Workplace for ten years running. Our primary focus is to assist patients in their recovery, helping them achieve the best possible outcomes with maximum independence.

01/13/2026

We just recently launched our Online Fitness + Wellness Program, a free virtual adaptive fitness and wellness program powered by WarriorStrong for Veterans with mobility challenges and their .

“By removing barriers to fitness and wellness and meeting where they are in their fitness and wellness journey, we are not only helping to improve mental and physical fitness, but we are also cultivating a community of mutual support and connection,” said Fabio Villarroel, PVA Senior Director of Sports and Recreation.

Read More: https://pva.org/news-and-media-center/recent-news/paralyzed-veterans-of-america-launches-free-online-fitness-and-wellness-program-for-veterans-with-mobility-challenges/.

01/12/2026

Do you regularly interact with the brain injury community? Consider taking our Brain Injury Fundamentals Virtual Training Course!

Brain Injury Fundamentals is a foundational training and program developed by experienced clinicians and rehabilitation professionals for individuals who support people with brain injuries. The course covers essential topics, including basic brain function, types of brain injury, behavioral and medical considerations, and practical strategies for effective care and support. The virtual training sessions will take place on February 18 and 25. Learn more and sign up for the training here: https://bit.ly/3Z3YssG

01/09/2026

Rehabilitation ensures that a new prosthetic leg becomes a functional extension of the body, not just a device. It maximizes safety, independence, efficiency, and quality of life, while minimizing complications and long-term musculoskeletal issues. Here is Randy with his new leg!

Check the expiration date on your car seats and, if needed, add a new seat to your 2026 budget.
01/06/2026

Check the expiration date on your car seats and, if needed, add a new seat to your 2026 budget.

Don't forget: Your child's car seat or booster seat also has a shelf life! We know that life is busy and those expiration dates can slip our minds, so consider this a friendly reminder to check those expiration dates. Find the expiration date, usually on the date of manufacture sticker on the bottom or back of the car seat or stamped on the plastic shell. While you have the seat out, you can snap a photo of the label or pop the expiration date reminder into your favorite calendar app.

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

01/05/2026

01/02/2026

In the words of Big Sam: “The key to rehab is to Listen”

Task-specific, repetitive, and meaningful practice drives neuroplasticity.

In practical terms, that means:
•Repetition with purpose – high-frequency practice of real-life tasks (not just isolated exercises)
•Task specificity – train exactly what you want to improve (reaching to dress, transfers to toilet, grasp for feeding)
•Progressive challenge – gradually increase difficulty to stay in the “just-right challenge” zone
•Active patient engagement – cognitive effort, problem-solving, and attention matter as much as movement
•Salience/meaning – activities that matter to the patient improve carryover and learning
•Feedback & cueing – fading cues over time to promote independence
•Consistency & intensity – frequent practice across sessions and settings

01/01/2026
01/01/2026

Feeling super thankful for all the awesome moments and memories from the past year! Here's to a New Year filled with good health and happiness for everyone! 🎉✨

12/31/2025

Special Tree embraced KINDESS 💖 as our theme for 2025 and it turned out to be an amazing year. Kindness has a ripple effect 🌊that can influence the entire community. A spirit of helpfulness, consideration, and being there for one another can have a tremendous impact.
Practicing kindness can boost self-esteem, enhance empathy and compassion, lower anxiety and stress, and improve both mood and relationships. Big thanks to our entire team, patients, visitors, and friends for coming together in KINDESS this past year.🎉

🎉 YUM 🎊 Clients and staff had a blast making delicious charcuterie boards together in our New Year's Cooking Group. 🧀🍇🥖 ...
12/31/2025

🎉 YUM 🎊 Clients and staff had a blast making delicious charcuterie boards together in our New Year's Cooking Group. 🧀🍇🥖 Here’s to tasty treats and great memories! ✨

Prevention is key! Make sure you're taking the right precautions with car seats.
12/30/2025

Prevention is key! Make sure you're taking the right precautions with car seats.

⚠️ PSA: Winter Coats and Car Seats Don't Mix! ⚠️ Bulky jackets and snowsuits compress in a crash, leaving too much space between your child and the harness. The fix? First, buckle the harness snugly without the coat. Keep your child warm by covering them with a coat or a blanket over the buckled and tightened straps.

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

Address

10909 Hannan Road
Romulus, MI
48174

Telephone

+18006486885

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Welcome to Special Tree

Since 1974, Special Tree has been one of the premiere rehabilitation providers for persons with brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other disabilities, and was Michigan’s first post-acute neurorehabilitation organization. Special Tree provides a full range of care for children and adults including sub acute, outpatient, residential, vocational, and home health care services at over 30 locations throughout Southeastern and Mid-Michigan. Special Tree has achieved accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, received the Michigan Quality Council’s highest award for quality excellence, and has been a Detroit Free Press Top Workplace every year since 2009. Helping patients in their recovery to reach the best outcomes possible with maximum independence is our top priority.