Special Clinics and Care Teams

New! Autism Center of Excellence

The Autism Center of Excellence (COE) is designed for recently diagnosed children with autism that also have a complex medical condition. The team collaborates together to assess the patient and offer an individualized treatment plan with the goal of assisting families in navigating complex systems. The team also provides families with support and education to better advocate for their child’s needs while offering direct access to a cutting edge model of care.

Team Members Include:

Board Certified Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Speech Language Pathologist
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Registered Dietitian
Registered Nurse
Medical Social Worker
Child Life Specialist

Cerebral Palsy

The Cerebral Palsy Clinic is specifically for children with central nervous system impairments. The major objective of the clinic is to assess child’s current level of function and to make recommendations for care that will improve or maintain the child’s freedom of movement and functional abilities. Children are seen annually but could be scheduled more frequently based on individual needs. Referrals to other specialties, such as Neurology and Orthopedics are made based on need.

Team members Include:

• Child Life
• Education Specialist
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Occupational Therapist
• Orthotist
• Physiatrist
• Physical Therapist
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Cleft Lip/Palate

The Cleft Care team meets monthly to review records of children at various age milestones to determine where the child is on the clinical care path outlined in Cleft Lip and Palate Guidelines. After the review referrals are made to specialty clinics needed to remain current with treatment and a report is sent to the parent/guardian and primary care physician.

Team Members Include:

• Audiologist
• Dentist
• ENT
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Oral Surgeon
• Orthodontist
• Plastic Surgery
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
• Speech Therapist

Cochlear Implant

The Cochlear Implant program is committed to providing comprehensive care and services to children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families. The team is composed of a child and family, professionals from Children’s Clinics and professionals from the community who will help determine if a Cochlear Implant (CI) would benefit a child. If a child receives a CI, we help ensure they succeed.

Team members Include:

• Cochlear Implant Coordinator
• Cochlear Implant Surgeon
• Medical Social Worker
• Pediatric Audiologists
• Registered Nurse
• Speech and Language Pathologists

Down Syndrome – Child

In partnership with Southern Arizona Network for Down Syndrome, we offer a multidisciplinary Down Syndrome Clinic to meet the needs of children from birth to age 10.

Team Members Include:

• Audiology
• Ear, Nose, and Throat
• Education Specialist
• Med/Peds
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Ophthalmology
• Physical Therapy
• Registered Dietitian

Down Syndrome – Teen

In partnership with Southern Arizona Network for Down Syndrome, we offer a multidisciplinary Down Syndrome Clinic to meet the needs of children and adolescents from age 11 to young adulthood.

Team Members Include:

• Audiology
• Med/Peds
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Optometry
• Physical Therapy
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Neurocutaneous Clinic

The Neurocutaneous Multispecialty Clinic provides services for children with a collective group of congenital neurological disorders. The most common types of neurocutaneous syndromes are Neurofibromatosis (NF), Tuberous Sclerosis and Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Patients are seen yearly by each of the team members in this half-day clinic. Follow-up appointments with other providers are determined based on individual needs.

Team Members Include:

• Education Specialist
• Genetic Counselor
• Medical Social Worker
• Neurologist
• Nurse Coordinator
• Ophthalmologist
• Psychologist

Neuromuscular Clinic

The Neuromuscular Multispecialty Clinic offers services for diagnoses including, but not limited to, Muscular Dystrophy, Myotonic Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Most patients are seen annually by each team member in this half-day clinic. Follow-up appointments with other specialty providers are determined based on individual needs

Team Members Include:

• Education Specialist
• Genetic Counselor
• Medical Social Worker
• Neurologist
• Nurse Coordinator
• Physical Therapist
• Psychologist
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Oral Maxillary

The Oral Maxillary Team provides dental, orthodontia, and oral surgery evaluations for children with Orofacial problems — mainly cleft palates, malocclusion, requiring dental care. This team meets monthly to assess readiness for bone grafting, dental restoration, and orthodontia.

Team Members Include:

• Oral Surgeon
• Orthodontists
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

The Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) clinic serves children and young adults with osteogenesis imperfecta and other bony diseases. OI is also known as “brittle bone disease” because those affected have weak bones that break easily. OI is a genetic disorder and has no cure. Our OI clinic aims to manage the disease by caring for and treating broken bones and brittle teeth, managing pain, therapies, bracing, labs, and surgery. We recommend our patients follow up with orthopedics, as well. Children and families are encouraged to live an active, healthy lifestyle and follow up regularly.

Team Members Include:

• Child Life
• Dentist
• Geneticist
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Physiatrist
• Physical Therapist

Sickle Cell Clinic

Sickle Cell disease is an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells. The Sickle Cell Clinic is held six times a year to evaluate new patients and assess status of established patients. Because of the many complications that could occur, health maintenance of these children should start at birth. Sickle Cell Guidelines are used to manage on-going care and in the development of care plans. Referrals are made to other specialists as needed.

Team Members Include:

• Education Specialist
• Genetic Counselor
• Hematologist/Oncologist
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Psychologist

Spina Bifida – Child

The Spina Bifida Child Clinic serves children from birth to age 12 years with neural tube defects. The team strives to coordinate care for the complex medical needs of these children as well as to provide education, support and advocacy for their families. Patients are seen yearly by each of the services in this half-day clinic. Follow-up appointments in other specialty clinics may be made based on individual needs. Children older than 12 are part of the Teen clinic.

Team Members Include:

• Child Life
• Developmental Pediatrician
• Education Specialist
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Orthopedic Surgeon
• Orthotist
• Physical Therapist
• Psychologist
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
• Urologist

Spina Bifida – Teen

The Spina Bifida Teen Clinic serves individuals age 13 to 21 years who were born with neural tube defects. Particular emphasis is placed on the concerns and needs of adolescents and young adults such as transportation, vocational goals, sexuality, and transition to personal independence. Patients are seen yearly by team members. Patients and families are encouraged to interact with peers over coffee and snacks before and after clinic. Referrals with individual specialists not attending clinic are made on an as needed basis.

Team Members Include:

• Developmental Pediatrician
• Education Specialist
• Genetic Counselor
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Orthopedic Surgeon
• Physical Therapist
• Psychologist
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
• Urologist

Palliative Care

A multidisciplinary supportive care program that provides individualized, comprehensive care-planning for children and their families.

Team Members Include:

• Chaplain
• Integrative Touch for Kids – Alternative Therapies
• Med/Peds
• Medical Social Worker
• Nurse Coordinator
• Pediatric Palliative Care Specialist
• Pediatric Neurology