Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Program

The Multiple Sclerosis Team

MS Team

Once considered to be a strictly “adult” disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) is now being diagnosed more often in children. At our Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Program at Children’s Hospital Boston, we care for children and teens with MS as well as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), acute transverse myelitis (ATM) and optic neuritis.

Distinguishing MS from the related conditions can be difficult, and the way the disease progresses tends to be different in children compared to adults. We have expertise in evaluating children’s symptoms and providing treatment that is carefully tailored to their individual conditions.

Our program is designed both to meet your child’s medical needs and to provide psychological and educational support. In addition to our neurologist and nursing staff, our team includes:

a psychologist who can help your child as he copes with his disease
a neuropsychologist and an educational liaison who support your child’s educational needs
a social worker who can help your family connect with resources in your community

Our team is dedicated to giving your child and family the support you need to manage his or her condition.

Our program is connected to our Pediatric Neuro-immunology Program at Children’s.

Fighting MS together

When a child or teenager has MS, he or she—and your whole family—face a lot of challenges. We’ve added two new people to our MS and Related Disorders team who can help: psychologist Lauren Mednick, PhD, who can talk with your child when he or she comes for medical appointments, and nurse practitioner Lisa Duffy, who plays a key role in coordinating patient care. Learn more on the Our innovative approach tab of this page.