Our Services
Movement Disorders Clinic
Description of Services
The Movement Disorders Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is a unique service provided by the Division of Child Neurology for the diagnosis, education and treatment of children with movement disorders.
The Clinic offers a multifaceted approach to the care of our patients, taking into consideration other associated issues with movement disorders, such as learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other behavioral concerns. Close affiliations with psychology and psychiatry through Children’s Hospital’s Child Development Unit and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic offer further comprehensive care and treatment options.
Our team includes two pediatric neurologists with specialized training in neurodevelopmental disorders; one adult neurologist with fellowship training in movement disorders; and experts from psychology/psychiatry along with interested pediatric and pediatric neurology residents.
Each patient of the Movement Disorders Clinic undergoes a thorough evaluation with special attention to medical and family history, educational and behavioral issues and a comprehensive neurological examination. Each patient will have the opportunity to be enrolled in a patient registry, which allows them to be contacted in the future for research and educational opportunities. Families are encouraged to videotape movements that are of concern and bring these recordings to their child's appointment. This is often a tremendous aid in the evaluation and diagnosis of these conditions.
Common movement disorders include:
• Tourette syndrome
• Tics
• Dystonia
• Chorea
• Tremor
• Spasticity
• Ataxia
• Myoclonus
Treatment modalities often utilized include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Medications
• Education for patients, families, schools and employers
