Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Statement Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To see our full nondiscrimination statement, click here.

Campus Construction Update

Starting September 14, we’re closing the Menino building lobby entrance. This, along with the ongoing Yawkey building entrance closure, will help us bring you an even better campus experience that matches the exceptional care you've come to expect. Please enter the Menino and Yawkey buildings through the Moakley building, and make sure to leave extra time to get to your appointment. Thank you for your patience. 

Click here to learn more about our campus redesign. 

Pediatric Movement Disorders

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Movement disorders in children can mean that they are moving too much or too little in a way that interferes with the normal flow of movements and postures.

They are caused by the brain and are very common, with up to 25% of pediatric patients having abnormal movements at some point in their lives.  

There are many causes of movement disorders including structural damage to the brain, medications, infections, autoimmune conditions, and disorders prompted by genetics, among others. Some movement disorders represent a broader problem with the nervous system or a specific disease or disorder, while for others the movement disorder occurs in isolation. Some movement disorders worsen over time, some improve, while others don’t change. 

We diagnose and treat all movement disorders here at Boston Medical Center including:

  • Tics/Tourette Syndrome
  • Dystonia
  • Tremors
  • Ataxia
  • Myoclonus
  • Stereotypies

At Boston Medical Center, we offer a multidisciplinary approach to diagnose and treat childhood movement disorders, utilizing the specialized services of Pediatric Neurology, Neuroradiology, Pediatric Psychology, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Genetics, and the Adult Neurology Movement Disorders Program.  

Diagnosis includes a complete medical examination with thorough history and may include:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine
  • Electroencephalography (EEG)
  • Laboratory blood work
  • Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation
  • Genetic evaluations

We offer treatments ranging from therapies including comprehensive behavior intervention for tics, medications for all many types of movement disorders, and even deep brain stimulation in select cases.

Dr. Karl Kuban, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Neurology is a sponsored consultant to the Tourette Syndrome Association. 

For more information and resources related to Tourette syndrome:

Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

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Neurosurgery

We provide comprehensive surgical treatment of the spine for trauma, degenerative conditions, congenital problems, and more. Our surgeons are experts in less invasive surgical tec…
Neurosurgery
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Pediatrics - Neurology

Our pediatric neurologists diagnose and treat children with all types of nervous system disorders from sleep and movement disorders to concussions and other head trauma.
Pediatrics - Neurology
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Pediatric Neurosurgery

We have extensive experience in pediatric neurosurgery, using state-of-the-art techniques and compassion to provide expert care and guidance during a potentially difficult time.
Pediatric Neurosurgery