Conditions We Treat

At Phoenix Children's, we treat a variety of pediatric movement disorders and neurological conditions that affect purposeful movement, tone and posture that can impact the quality of life in children and adolescents.

We treat a wide range of both common and rare conditions including cerebral palsy, genetic dystonias and other neurogenetic conditions, as well as Tourette syndrome and tic disorders.

Our team of specialists collaborates across disciplines, ensuring comprehensive treatment and coordinated care for children and adolescents dealing with these conditions, complex movement disorders and other rare neurological disorders.

We treat the following conditions and more:

• Athetosis – Slow, involuntary writhing or twisting movements
• Ataxia – Abnormal muscle coordination and control
• Ballism – A repetitive, involuntary and often violent jerking or flinging motion
• Cerebral palsy – A developmental movement disorder
• Chorea – Jerky motions that jump from one muscle group to the next
• Dystonia – Involuntary twisting or posturing movements that can lead to stiff muscles
• Functional movement disorders – Conditions related to psychological stressors
• Gait disorders – Abnormal walking and balance patterns
• Hyperekplexia – Heightened startle response
• Myoclonus – Sudden involuntary muscle twitching
• Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) – Inflammatory nervous system disorder leading to jerky movements of the eyes and body
• Parkinsonism – Clinical syndrome marked by tremor, rigidity and other symptoms
• Paroxysmal dyskinesias – A group of rare movement disorders that occur intermittently
• Spasticity – A condition that can cause muscles to become stiff, making it difficult to walk or control muscles
• Stereotypies – Repetitive movements
• Tics – Sudden movements, muscle spasms or vocal sounds
• Tourette syndrome – Neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by tics lasting for more than one year.
• Tremor – Rhythmic, uncontrollable shaking