PATIENT INFORMATION:

We care about our patients and their families and understand that being diagnosed with a neurological condition can have a physical and emotional impact on a child and his/her loved ones. Our approach to treatment emphasizes comprehensive care and education to improve the quality of life of our patients.

Please see our Services page for more detail on services available.

Evaluation & Diagnosis
On a first visit, a child will typically go through a physical, neurological and cognitive evaluation with a pediatric neurologist and an MS specialist. If there is a need for further evaluation, appointments may be scheduled for follow-up visits and other diagnostic tests such as blood work, MRIs and electrophysiologic studies including Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs). Once a child is diagnosed with MS or another demyelinating condition, a treatment and therapy plan is developed and the patient is monitored on a regular basis.

Our staff works closely with a child's pediatrician to ensure he/she is informed about the child's care.

Treatment & Therapy
There are several drug therapies available that can help reduce symptoms and slow the progression of MS. A physical, occupational and/or speech therapy and exercise program may also be recommended to help manage some of the physical effects of the disease. A pediatric neuropsychologist is also available to evaluate cognitive abilities and help the patient adapt to any cognitive challenges. Children are seen on a regular basis to evaluate their response to the treatment plan.

Single Point of Accountability
Our Single Point of Accountability or case manager ensures that each child receives the proper care, services and support that he/she needs.

Education
We encourage patients and their loved ones to learn as much as they can about their condition and we welcome questions from our patients and their families. Please visit our Link page for additional sources of information.

For Consultations or more information: Please call: (716) 878-PDMS (7367) or toll free 1-877-878-PDMS (7367), e-mail us at: pedms@thejni.org.

Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available for medical services, travel, and accommodations for qualifying families. For more information, please contact Mary Karpinski, our social worker, at:
(716) 859-1792 or
1-877-878-7367