The Movement Disorders and Tourette Syndrome Center at Le Bonheur’s Neuroscience Institute treats a variety of common movement disorders seen in children, including tic disorders and Tourette syndrome. Our multidisciplinary approach addresses all aspects of movement disorders from diagnosis to psychiatric services to rehabilitation needs and is the only multispecialty, comprehensive program in the area.
Le Bonheur's Movement Disorders and Tourette Syndrome Center is designated as a center of excellence by the Tourette Association of America (TAA).
Conditions We Treat
Our providers treat the full range of movement disorders seen in children including:
- Tremors – involuntary shaking of a part of the body
- Ataxia – disorders that cause clumsy movements and difficulty with coordination
- Dystonia – uncontrolled and involuntary muscle contractions
- Chorea – involuntary movements of the hands, feet and face
- Stereotypies and other developmental movement disorders in children
- Myocolonus – brief, involuntary muscle jerks
- Abnormal eye movements
- Tic disorders – rapid, difficult to control movements or sounds
- Tourette syndrome
Symptoms of Movement Disorders
- Uncontrolled, sudden and repetitive movements and sounds
- Shaking or trembling arms or legs
- Stiff muscles
- Difficulties with balance and coordination
- Involuntary muscle jerks
What to expect at your appointment:
Your child’s first appointment will be with one of Le Bonheur’s pediatric neurologists who specialize in movement disorders and Tourette syndrome. A thorough neurological evaluation will be conducted in order to identify the proper diagnosis for your child.
If other services are needed, our pediatric neurologists may refer your child to other providers at Le Bonheur, including neuromuscular specialists for chemical denervation (Botox), behavioral psychologists who are trained in CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics), neuropsychologists for cognitive testing, child psychiatry for management of associated conditions and rehabilitation services including physical, occupational and speech therapy. Our experts will work with your child’s school to provide education to teachers and create the best education plan for your child.
For rare movement disorders, your child may be referred to one of our geneticists for further genetic testing. Our geneticists have access to whole genome sequencing – a technique that determines a child’s entire DNA sequence.
Treatment Options for Tourette Syndrome and Movement Disorders
Successfully treating movement disorders or Tourette syndrome means treating not only the underlying causes, but ensuring that your child has the tools to navigate everyday life. These treatments include:
- Oral medications
- Diagnosis and treatment of co-morbidities such as anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) – a non-medication treatment that teaches patients how to cope with and manage their tic disorder
Research and Clinical Trials
Le Bonheur’s experts are actively working to identify the mechanisms underlying childhood movement disorders and find new treatments for these conditions. If you’re interested in learning more about available clinical trials, please contact us using the form below.
Meet Our Movement Disorders Team
Neurology
Robin Jack, MD, is a pediatric neurologist and associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital Neuroscience Institute. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology. She is co-director of the Le Bonheur Neuroscience Institute Movement Disorders and Tourette Syndrome Center of Excellence as designated by the Tourette Association of America (TAA). Her clinical practice focuses on the care of children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome and other movement disorders.
Ashmitha Raja, MD, is a pediatric neurologist and assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology. Her clinical practice focuses on the care of children and adolescents with movement disorders.
Psychiatry
Andres Ramos, MD, is a pediatric psychiatrist and assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry.
Tracee Ridley-Pryor, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Le Bonheur. She is director of Pediatric Neurology Research for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Neuro-Ophthalmology
Lauren Ditta, MD, specializes in pediatric neuro-ophthalmology. She treats children with a wide range of abnormal eye movements including complex strabismus, nystagmus, cranial nerve palsies affecting eye movement and congenital cranial dysinnervation syndromes.
Neuropsychology
Christen Holder, PhD, is the clinical director of Pediatric Neuropsychology and specializes in epilepsy, congenital heart disease and high-risk newborn populations. She serves as co-director of the Movement Disorders and Tourette Syndrome Center.
Clinical Psychology
Gwen Beard, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist. She is assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Research
Shalini Narayana, MBBS, PhD, is a professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and director of the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Laboratory and Functional Neuroimaging Research Program at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Neuroscience Institute. She is an expert in the application of TMS and other non-invasive imaging in children with interests in changes in motor and cognitive neural systems.
Child Neurology Tupelo Outreach Clinic
Clinical Coordinator
Madison Proll, RN
