Pediatric Neurology deals with malfunctions and disorders of the nervous system within adolescents aged from birth until young adulthood, and can include a variety of disorders that cause significant physical discomfort and even restrict a child from being able to perform simple daily tasks. These can include seizure disorders like febrile convulsions and epilepsy, head injuries like concussions, brain tumors, and other abnormalities, physical weakness caused by cerebral palsy, nerve/muscle disorders, and muscular dystrophy just to name a few.
Mental and behavioral disabilities can also be caused by neurological problems, and many can be treated effectively to improve the life of both child and parent. Some of these might include chronic or reoccurring headaches or severe migraines than can conflict with a child’s ability to learn or concentrate, behavioral disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, or even something as simple as your child’s ability to sleep soundly. Developmental disorders that affect speech, motor, and coordination skills can severely set back your child and delay their progress educationally, socially, and even emotionally. Whether your child has a mild concentration or sleepiness problem, or something more severe like an intense intellectual disability, it’s important that you seek the advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Something as simple as finding the right treatment can put your family on the path to healing.
Our office specializes primarily in effectively treating and improving the lives of those who suffer from autism, ADHD, and concussions but are still well-versed in a variety of other neurological defects that can interfere with your child’s life such as seizures, headaches/migraines, and more.
Autism
With autism patients, the biggest obstacle is often the inability to communicate their needs and desires. Our approach is not only to diagnose, but to also find a treatment method that works on behalf of everyone. By exploring their unique behavior, we can help families better communicate and manage the situation.
ADHD/Learning Difficulties
For ADHD, we utilize a variety of tools, including TOVA, to measure the effectiveness of their medication and formulate the best possible treatment plan that encourages the patient to succeed as an individual and grow at a steady pace.
Concussion Management
Concussions can cause pain, as well as a number of possible mental and behavioral changes. This can make it especially difficult for students who are required to focus and remain submissive to a number of rules and regulations. These changes in the brain can cause problems that seem to come out of nowhere, but it is important to remember that they are in most cases temporary and can be treated.
Seizures and migraines are other problems that can range from mild to severe and equally affect a child learning and concentration abilities. No matter what disorder, disability, or illness has your child unable to live a relatively normal life, the most important thing is that they receive a comprehensive treatment plan that works to enhance the quality of life of each patient and family member, without interfering with the child’s education, budding social life, or important family time.
Dr. Kheir M Al-Zouhayli, MD