Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinic

Our multidisciplinary team is focused on providing family-centered care and offers families the opportunity to see multiple program experts during a single visit to the clinic. Having  multiple experts observe a child’s movement and function during a single visit increases our ability to efficiently recommend and implement therapies, adaptive equipment and treatments to improve their function and well-being.

In our neurodiagnostic laboratory, special focus is given to developing a non-intrusive and child-friendly approach to testing. Testing includes motor and sensory nerve conduction studies, needle electromyography, single fiber electromyography, and quantitative sensory and autonomic testing. Evolving knowledge about neuromuscular disorders requires increasingly modern and sophisticated equipment in order to be effective at identifying specific neuromuscular disorders in children.

During an appointment at our clinic, a child will see knowledgeable healthcare specialists from a variety of disciplines during the same appointment. The clinic will be held several days each month. Visits can last between two to three hours to allow each child time to be seen by all the consultants necessary for their individualized treatment plan. Specialists that are available during clinic include a neurologist, a pulmonologist, an orthopedic surgeon, physical and occupational therapists, a nurse educator, a metabolic bone health pediatric nurse practitioner, a clinical nutritionist, orthotists, the MDA Healthcare Services Coordinator and a social worker. We can also coordinate appointments with cardiology and other disciplines if necessary.

The Mazza Foundation Neuromuscular Program research coordinator will also be present in the MDA clinic to provide information to families and facilitate participation in approved clinical research trials. We are part of several research consortia investigating different steroid regimens, heart medication and nutritional supplements to provide our families with an opportunity to participate in trials that may improve health for children living with neuromuscular conditions.