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The Werner Otto Institut is one of the largest and leading social pediatric centers in Germany.[2] Since its founding in 1974, the institution has been dedicated to the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of developmental delays and disabilities in children and adolescents.[2] The institute was made possible by a generous million-dollar donation from the Hamburg merchant Werner Otto and bears his name as a sign of gratitude for this significant support.[2]
The Werner Otto Institut offers a wide range of outpatient and inpatient treatments and has a highly qualified multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, psychologists, therapists, and nurses.[6] The facility covers all necessary specialist areas: pediatrics, psychology, occupational therapy, special education, physiotherapy, speech therapy, motopedics, music therapy, and social counseling.[4]
The institute has established itself as a leader, particularly in the therapy of early childhood regulatory disorders, Spina bifida, hearing, speech, and movement disorders.[2] A special focus is on innovative approaches such as hearing screening for newborns, which was developed and introduced for the early detection of hearing loss.[2]
The work of the institute is based on the principle of holism and interdisciplinarity.[4] This means that not only specific disabilities are treated, but the child is viewed in its entirety with all its needs in the social environment.[4] The family and its everyday situation are at the center of the therapeutic work - the parental home, kindergarten, and school are integrated into a comprehensive therapeutic concept.[4]
The institute works closely with established pediatricians, other medical specialists, therapists, and child and adolescent psychiatrists to ensure optimal care.[6]
The institute's mission statement follows the motto of Prof. Dr. h.c. Werner Otto: "Give children the best possible start in life."[7] The main mission is to support children and adolescents with developmental delays and disabilities, as well as their families, in the best possible way - for a self-determined and as independent a life as possible.[5]
The institute respects the wishes, needs, and concerns of children, adolescents, and their parents and strives for communication characterized by mutual appreciation and trust.[7] The employees work together in an interdisciplinary manner and contribute their expertise to a dedicated team concept.[7]
Since its founding over 50 years ago, more than 54,000 patients have been intensively cared for at the Werner Otto Institut.[4] In 2016 alone, the facility carried out 25,000 treatments.[4] The expertise of the institute's experts is valued and recognized far beyond Northern Germany.[2]
The institute is part of the Evangelische Stiftung Alsterdorf, a large diaconal institution with over 6,500 employees and more than 180 locations in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony.[1] The financing is provided by the Werner Otto Stiftung, founded in 1969 by Werner Otto, which is dedicated to promoting medical research and specialized treatment services.[3]
The Werner Otto Institut embodies the commitment of a philanthropic initiative to the optimal medical and therapeutic care of children with special needs and sets standards in German social pediatrics.
