What to Expect at Your Appointment

Children with stroke often see a number of health care professionals, depending on their exact needs. Some of our pediatric stroke patients will be followed by a pediatrician, stroke team and physical therapist, and other children may see additional specialists as well.

Your First Visit

On arrival, please check-in at the front desk of Yawkey 8B (Pediatric Hematology). Typically 60 minutes are scheduled for your first appointment and 30 minutes are allotted for follow-up appointments, but visits may take up to two hours. If a laboratory test is indicated, you can chose to do it during your visit in our clinic. At the end of your appointment, you will be able to schedule a follow-up appointment, if necessary.

Typical Evaluation at the MGH Pediatric Stroke Clinic

Physicians who work in the Multidisciplinary Pediatric Stroke Clinic offer comprehensive patient evaluations. Your child may see up to 3 doctors during your appointment, either one at a time or as a group. You will be able to remain in one exam room for the entire appointment.

A member of the team will begin by reviewing your current concerns and your child’s symptoms. Following this the doctor will ask you about your child’s medical and neurologic history, family health history, and social history. The physician will also ask about your child’s development. 

Following this detailed history, the physician will perform a physical exam. The physical exam will include both a general exam and a detailed neurological examination. 

Once the physical evaluation is complete, the physician team will review their findings with you. Together you will discuss possible further testing and/or a treatment plan. Our staff at the front desk will assist you with setting up future testing if needed. Please note that no formal neuropsychological testing will be performed during your exam in the neurology clinic.

Specialists You May See

Your child may not see all of these professionals, but they are available if needed.

Pediatric neurologists diagnose and treat diseases that involve the nervous system. Children with hemiplegia or stroke may see a neurologist to discover the cause of their condition, recommendations for treatment, diagnosis and treatment of a seizure disorder (epilepsy) and for other information concerning their condition.

Neonatologists are specially trained pediatricians who study the development and disorders of sick newborn children.

Physiatrists (also called Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialists) help people with rehabilitation from injuries including stroke.

Cardiologists treat the heart and its functions.

Hematologists diagnose and treat diseases of the blood. A child who has had a stroke may see a hematologist for tests to determine if the child has a blood clotting disorder.

Developmental pediatricians are specially trained pediatrician who is primarily concerned with the evaluation of children’s development. They often work in NICU follow-up clinics for children who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Pediatric ophthalmologists can evaluate how well the eyes work together, exam vision and health of eyes, prescribe glasses, diagnose eye disease and perform corrective eye surgery.

Genetic counselors are specialists who assess whether the hemiplegia or stroke may be due to an inheritable condition.

Psychologists study the human mind and human behavior. Psychologists sometimes gather information through by administering personality, performance, aptitude, and intelligence tests. Other methods include observation, interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies, and surveys.

Neuropsychologists study the relation between the brain and behavior.

Counseling psychologists use various techniques, including interviewing and testing, to advise people on how to deal with problems of everyday living.

Developmental psychologists study the physiological, cognitive, and social development that takes place throughout life. Some specialize in behavior during infancy, childhood, or adolescence.

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons are concerned with deformities, injuries, and diseases of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Treatment provided by an orthopedist may include manipulation, the fitting of braces or other appliances, exercising, and surgery.