Institute Updates & Clinical News -- Fall 2009

State-of-the-Art Outpatient Center Opened

Our new Outpatient Center opened in May 2009 and features state-of the-art technology and natural environments including an expansive healing garden. A six-story physical expression of the Institute's patient-centered approach, the Center is one of the most comprehensive rehabilitation facilities in the world for patients with special needs. Housing many of our outpatient clinics and therapeutic services, this ambitious expansion enables us to offer more comprehensive services at one location, ensuring optimal outcomes for children and adults with disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal system.

To learn more, visit grandopening.kennedykrieger.org.

New Center Treats Muscular Dystrophy

Kennedy Krieger welcomes Dr. Kathryn Wagner as we launch the Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders. Dr. Wagner has over a decade of experience researching and treating muscle disorders. The Center will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of muscle disorders, including muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies. The combination of Dr. Wagner's expertise and the Institute's unique understanding of childhood developmental disabilities will give patients at the Center much-needed access to world class facilities, rehabilitative services, and assistive technology under one roof. The Center is also an official Muscular Dystrophy Association clinic.

For more information on the Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, call our Physician Assistance Group at (443) 923-9403.

Limb Differences Clinic

The Limb Differences Clinic at Kennedy Krieger Institute provides quality, comprehensive medical care that focuses on optimizing health and function with coordination of health care services for those with congenital, post-surgical, and trauma-related limb differences including:

• Proximal femoral focal deficiency (congenital shortening of the femur)
• Tibial and fibular hemimelias (congenital absence or shortening of the tibia or fibula)
• Amelia (congenital absence of entire limb)
• Congenital limb deficiency or acquired amputations of upper or lower extremities

Through its interdisciplinary approach, the Clinic works to help children and adolescents with limb differences become active and pain-free so that they may lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

For more information, call our Physician Assistance Group at (443) 923-9403.

Research Initiatives: Accelerating the Pace of Autism Research

When researchers and parents aren't connected, autism research can't advance. That is why the Interactive Autism Network was created -- to build a bridge between those affected by ASD and researchers in the field. The Interactive Autism Network invites individuals and their families to share information in a secure setting, as their schedule allows, to become part of the largest online autism research effort in the United States. The project also matches participants with studies for which they qualify. The data collected facilitates scientific research and empowers community leaders to advocate for improved services and resources. To learn more about this innovative project, www.IANproject.org. To see a complete listing of research initiatives, visit research.kennedykrieger.org.

Back-to-School Screenings for Developmental or Behavioral Concerns

Millions of children across the country have developmental delays or behavior problems that may go undiagnosed. The Kennedy Krieger Institute offers the opportunity for evaluation and early identification through the Center for Development and Learning. The Center is a multidisciplinary program for the evaluation and treatment of children from preschool through high school who are experiencing problems in their development.

The Center offers evaluation and treatment in:

• ADHD
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Behavior or school adjustment
• Developmental delay
• Language development
• Learning and intellect

Appointments are available this fall. For more information, call our Physician Assistance Group at (443) 923-9403.

Sedated ABR Testing Now Offered

The Kennedy Krieger Institute Department of Audiology at Kennedy Krieger Institute is now offering sedated ABR testing. The protocol will include click-evoked ABR, tone burst ABR (with notched noise), and bone conduction ABR. Measurements of the auditory steady state response are also available. The protocol will include tympanometry with either a 226 or 1000 Hz probe tone, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. The patients will be seen by a pediatrician prior to the administration of the sedative. Chloral hydrate will generally be used. There will be continuous physiologic monitoring throughout with an RN with extensive experience with pediatric sedation present throughout all procedures.

To make a referral, call Roberta Mason at (443) 923-3220.

Brachial Plexus Clinic

This interdisciplinary outpatient clinic serves children and adults who have brachial plexus injuries. Patients may have either birth-related or traumatic brachial plexus injuries. Each patient receives a comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and follow-up from a variety of disciplines. The disciplines involved with this clinic are neurosurgery, occupational therapy, orthopedic surgery, and plastic surgery.

For more information, call our Physician Assistance Group at (443) 923-9403.