Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's
Pediatric neurology
Comprehensive and collaborative neurological care for your child
A pediatric neurologist treats children with conditions that affect the nervous system, which includes the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. The nervous system controls our movement, including the brain's response to internal and external environmental messages that impact the network of cells and tissue in our bodies.
Children with neurological conditions have special needs because their brains and nervous systems are actively growing. Pediatric neurologists at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's in Temple are trained to identify and treat children, from newborns to teenagers. Our Central Texas specialists may work with the pediatric neurosurgical team and, in some cases, rehabilitation experts if your child's health requires it.
Pediatric neurosurgery
Treating childhood neurological conditions that require surgery on the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves
The brain and central nervous system are responsible for cognitive function and gross and fine motor skills in the human body. When a pediatric neurologist exhausts treatment methods to successfully treat a child with a neurological disease, it may become necessary to consult a pediatric neurosurgeon to assess the child's condition and create a surgical treatment plan.
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's board-certified pediatric neurosurgeons perform minimally invasive treatments and traditional open surgeries. Advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques for children ensure their safety, comfort and the best outcome.
Pediatric neurosurgeons collaborate closely with your child's entire care team, including pediatric neurology and your child's primary care physician or pediatrician. A family-centered approach is the cornerstone of our care, ensuring that each child's, parent's and sibling's needs are met during a patient's care.
Conditions we treat
Many patients seek the care of a pediatric neurosurgeon. Some of them are patients with epilepsy, spina bifida, vascular malformations, craniosynostosis, aneurysms and other conditions.
- Hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid on the brain that may require placement of a VP shunt to relieve cranial pressure (a condition often associated with spina bifida)
- Abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord
- Benign and malignant tumors of the brain and spinal cord
- Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries
Pediatric neuropsychology
Cognitive evaluations for children ages seven and older
Cognitive (thinking) problems such as communication, memory and attention can affect children in school and life. At Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's in Temple, a pediatric neuropsychologist evaluates cognitive concerns to help children reach their potential. A pediatric neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with additional training in brain-behavior relationships and testing.
During the initial appointment, parents meet with the neuropsychologist to discuss concerns. After this conversation, a plan is developed. Most often, testing with the child is scheduled. The testing involves a paper and pencil, question and answer format similar to school tasks.
How pediatric neuropsychologists can assist
- Provide the correct diagnosis, which is needed to identify the proper treatment
- Identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses
- Help academic planning
- Suggest possible relationships between test performance and brain functioning