The Pediatric Movement Disorders Program at Lurie Children’s provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and treatment, including surgical options, of children with movement disorders.
Movement disorders in children affect the speed and quality of movement leading to too much movement, too little movement or problems with balance and coordination.
Pediatric movement disorders can be caused by genetics, metabolic disorders, infections, stroke and vascular disease, toxins, or damage to the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. Affected children have muscles that are too tight which may case pain, bone and join pathology and tremor.
This program is led by expert subspecialists affiliated with the No. 1 nationally ranked physical medicine and rehabilitation research hospital in the U.S., the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and Lurie Children’s, the No. 1 ranked children’s hospital in Illinois.
Why Choose Lurie Children's
Our program is the only pediatric movement disorders program in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is led by one of the few pediatric movement disorders trained specialists in the country.
The multidisciplinary program combines the experts in various pediatric subspecialities, including:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Physiatrists
- Clinical Care
- Neuroradiology
- Nursing
- Orthotics
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Research and Education
- Social Work
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Genetics
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is also part of the team. Together, we provide state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and treatment such as deep brain stimulation. We also participate in research and clinical trials.
Conditions We Treat
- Ataxia
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chorea
- Dystonia
- Juvenile Huntington Disease
- Myoclonus
- Parkinsonism
- Spasticity
- Tics and Tourette Syndrome
- Tremor
Therapies and Treatments
- Botulinum Toxin Therapy
- Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- Intrathecal and Intraventricular Baclofen Therapy
- Neurotomy
- Neurogenetics
- Orthotics
- Phenol Motor Blocks
- Physical Therapy
- Progressive Casting
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Ventral-dorsal rhizotomy
What to Expect
During your visit, your child will be evaluated at one of our outpatient locations.
Additional testing and consultation may be arranged depending on your child’s condition. These tests or consultations may include:
- Laboratory testing
- Electroencephalogram
- Brain MRI or other imaging studies
- Psychology or psychiatry consultation
- Rehabilitation consultation
If possible, please bring a video of your child’s movements, especially if these movements are not constant and might not be seen during a visit. Your child may be videotaped for clinical, educational or research purposes.
Our Specialists
The Pediatric Movement Disorders Program includes:

Joanna S. Blackburn, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology

Jeffrey S. Raskin, MS, MD
Attending Physician, Neurosurgery; Director of Functional Neurosurgery
Tim Krater, DO
Attending Physician, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Vineeta T. Swaroop, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine; Vice Chair of Medical Education, Department of Surgery
Elyse Zanghi, CO
Orthotist, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Mehgan Rickett, RN
Nurse
Joann Scearcy, RN
Nurse
Make an Appointment
You can make an appointment with our specialists online or by phone.
Our Locations
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park
2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming PlaceChicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362