Programs and research

Top-notch programs

We offer comprehensive care to kids living with neurological conditions. Our specialty programs and clinics are recognized for excellence.

Specialized care for children of all ages

We offer specialty programs and clinics for many pediatric neurological conditions. These include:

We provide the highest possible level of care to kids with epilepsy.

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We provide education and treatment for children with severe headaches and migraines in our UW Health Kids Headache Clinic in Madison, Wis., and our Neuro and Headache Center in Rockford, Ill.

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We provide care for children with complex nerve and muscle disorders.

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Our neuropsychologists work with children with brain disorders who have problems at home or school. Our team offers testing and assessments. We work with you and your child to develop a plan for their success.

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Babies and children often do unusual things: they may have twitching, jerking, staring, frequent falls or other abnormal movements. Many of these spells turn out to be benign, but some are more serious. At first, it can be hard to tell which kids need medical attention from a specialist and, if so, how urgently.

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Our team partners with other UW Health Kids experts to provide neurological care for children with complex medical conditions. Our partner clinics and programs include:

  • Brachial Plexus Clinic

  • Cerebral Palsy Clinic

  • UW Health Kids Neurocutaneous Disorders Clinic 

  • Medical Genetics Clinic

  • UW Health Kids Brain Care Clinic

  • UW Health Kids Neuro-oncology 

  • UW Health Kids Pain Management Clinic

Advancing neurological care through research

Members of our team lead research on epilepsy and spinal muscular atrophy.

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Smiling child with sign reading UW Health Kids
UW Health Kids
Our pediatric experts have served the special needs of children for more than 100 years. We focus on each child’s unique needs and offer social and emotional support to help you and your child face even the most complex condition. Our long history includes the creation of medical advances that save lives around the world. Together, we get your child back to health and enjoying being a kid.

Conditions and treatments

Advanced care for the ones you care for most

Neurological disorders and diseases affect the nervous system, including the brain, nerves and spinal cord. 

If your child is affected by a neurological condition, they may experience developmental delays or miss important milestones. Neurological conditions, like epilepsy or severe headaches, can also impact your child’s quality of life. We are dedicated to helping all children with neurological conditions achieve greater health and reach their full potential.

Complete care for neurological conditions

UW Health Kids neurologists evaluate and treat a wide range of neurological conditions.

  • Batten disease

  • Brain malformation

  • Brain trauma (including shaken baby syndrome and concussion)

  • Central nervous system infections (including meningitis)

  • Cerebral palsy

  • Developmental delay and regression

  • Encephalitis

  • Duchenne muscular dystrophy

  • Epilepsy 

  • Febrile seizures

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Infantile spasms

  • Genetic and metabolic disorders

  • Neurologic autoimmune disorders and conditions

  • Neuromuscular disorders

  • Pediatric stroke

  • Spinal muscular atrophy

  • Tremor and movement disorders

Personalized treatment for your child

There are many different treatments for neurological conditions. We match every child with the treatment that’s just right for them. We offer the latest medication therapies and surgeries. We also offer physical and occupational therapy to help your child with movement and everyday activities.

Please note: Not all services are provided at all locations.

Our team offers vagus nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation and deep brain stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy.  

We also offer ketogenic diet therapy. This special low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet can help to control the frequency of seizures in children with epilepsy.

We offer Botox injections, nerve blocks, trigger point injections and neuromodulation treatments to relieve headaches.

Our team was the first in Wisconsin to use Zolgensma, a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. Gene therapy works by replacing a defective or missing gene.

We were also among the first programs to offer Spinraza to treat spinal muscular atrophy. This medication increases the production of a protein that plays an important role in protecting and strengthening motoneurons that control muscle activity. 

We are the first medical center in Wisconsin to provide Brineura infusions for treating neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (Batten disease). These infusions are given directly into the brain and provide dramatic improvements in controlling symptoms.

Locations

Where you need us

We offer specialized clinics within American Family Children’s Hospital and University Hospital in Madison, Wis. We also see patients at our general neurology clinic in Rockford, Ill.

Meet our team

An expert team of specialists here to help

The UW Health Kids neurology team includes experts in epilepsy, general neurology, neuromuscular disorders and neuropsychology.

Our providers

Life-changing care for brain and nervous system disorders

At UW Health, you will partner with doctors, dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists and other skilled health care providers to treat and manage symptoms of your condition.

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Patient resources

Useful resources for you and your family

Helping your child heal should be your focus. We make everything else easy.

Patient and family visitor guide

Learn about the amenities and what to expect when you visit American Family Children's Hospital.

Family resources

General neurology information

A baby playing on its back
Piper's story
New gene therapy in the first weeks of life

Piper was just a week old when her parents learned she had spinal muscular atrophy. Without treatment, her muscles would weaken. Breathing and eating would become difficult. At three weeks old, Piper became the first child in Wisconsin treated with a new gene therapy, called Zolgensma, for spinal muscular atrophy.