Pediatric Neurology

Pediatric Neurology at Golisano Children's Hospital

If your child has been diagnosed with or might have a condition involving the brain, spinal cord, or other part of the nervous system, you need an expert pediatric neurology team by your side. At Golisano Children’s Hospital at University of Vermont Health, our board-certified pediatric neurologists deliver leading-edge care in a family-focused, supportive environment.

Parents throughout Vermont and northern New York choose us as partners in their child's health care journey. Our team takes the time to get to know your whole family and fully understand your child's condition. We then create a personalized treatment plan centered on your preferences and goals.

A pediatric neurologist sits with a patient.

Why Choose Golisano Children's Hospital?

We offer:

Expertise: Our board-certified neurologists have special qualifications in pediatric neurology. We offer families the knowledge and skills that come from decades of experience.
Focus on relationships: Interacting with your child is one of the best ways to gather information to help diagnose their condition. We take time to build a relationship with your child and your family.
Child Life: Child Life is an important service that helps reduce children's fear and anxiety during their time in the hospital. Child Life specialists use age-appropriate education and play to prepare children for medical procedures and provide distraction and support.
Academic focus: Our physician-leaders are active researchers, many of whom are training the next generation of experts. As a patient, you benefit from clinicians who have access to the latest advancements in pediatric neurology.

Conditions We Treat

Our highly trained and compassionate pediatric neurology team cares for children from birth through adolescence. Neurological conditions we diagnose and treat include:

Autism, in partnership with our psychology team
Autoimmune diseases, such as encephalitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
Concussion
Epilepsy and seizure disorders
Headaches and migraines
Development and motor delays
Functional neurological disorders following stressful life events
Metabolic disorders impacting the nervous system, including Wilson's disease
Movement disorders like ataxia, cerebral palsy, chorea, dystonia, spasticity and tremor
Neuromuscular disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, hereditary neuropathy, myasthenia gravis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Pediatric and neonatal stroke
Sleep disorders
Tics and Tourette syndrome

Golisano Children's Hospital

Child Life Program

Medical care can be overwhelming for children. Our Child Life Specialists help your child cope with stress, prepare for procedures and understand their care. These highly trained specialists offer your family support as you navigate our health system.

A child life specialist plays with a small child.

Learn more

What to Expect

The first step in understanding and treating your child's condition is getting to know your family. Our neurologists will ask you about your child's medical history, current symptoms and your concerns.

They’ll also talk to your child to learn about their interests and favorite activities. For your convenience, we can conduct this initial conversation in person or through digital health.

Your neurologist may recommend some in-person tests. We can arrange for all tests to happen on the same day, so you make only one trip. Available tests include:

Electroencephalography (EEG): We place small electrodes on your child's head to measure the brain's electrical impulses.
Genetic testing: Some neurological conditions run in families. Our pediatric neurologists collaborate with our genetics team for comprehensive testing.
Lab tests: Many lab tests involve drawing blood. If your child is fearful of needles, we may be able to offer testing alternatives that don't involve a blood draw.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Magnets and a specialized computer work together to provide clear, detailed images of your child's internal organs.
Neurological exam: The doctor evaluates your child's muscle function, reflexes, speech and senses to understand how well their brain communicates with their body.
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): Your child's doctor inserts a needle or drain in the spinal canal to remove some cerebrospinal fluid for testing.

After we analyze your child's test results, we will discuss treatment options so you and your family can make an informed choice. Together we build a treatment plan that’s right for your child. Throughout your child's care, we keep in close contact with your child's primary care physician.

At Golisano Children’s Hospital, we know that a child's neurological condition can impact many aspects of daily life. The social workers in our Children’s Specialty Center can help connect families to local resources and provide support for navigating challenges.