Neurosurgery

Resources and support

When your child is diagnosed with a condition calling for neurosurgical treatment, the tests, terms and questions can seem endless—and sometimes overwhelming. Browse through the sections below for some helpful information that can give you the answers, advice and support you're looking for.

Patient and family resources at Boston Children's Hospital

Children’s Clinical Genetics Program provides diagnostic services and genetic counseling for patients and families with birth defects and other developmental problems. For more information, call 857-218-4637.

The hospital’s Gait Laboratory uses state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies to evaluate children with complex walking difficulties. Please call 617-573-2203 for more information.

Children's Augmentative Communication Program provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment services for children with conditions that affect their communication abilities. Call 781-216-2209 to learn more.

Children’s Center for Continence of Urine and Bowel is a special program bringing together experts from multiple hospital departments—including Urology, Gastroenterology and Neurology—to assess and treat children with partial or complete incontinence related to congenital problems of the brain, spine, anorectal system or urological system. Call 617-355-6055 for more information.

The hospital’s Complex Care Services deliver essential medical care to children with birth defects, genetic disorders and other multifaceted health care needs. Call 617-355-6162 to learn more.

Children’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic helps children who are being treated on an outpatient basis at the hospital—as well as their families—understand and cope with their feelings about:

being sick
facing uncomfortable procedures
handling pain
taking medication
preparing for surgery
changes in friendships and family relationships
managing school while dealing with an illness
grief and loss

The Experience Journal was designed by Children’s psychiatrist-in-chief, David DeMaso, MD, and members of his team. This online collection features thoughts, reflections and advice from kids living with a variety of medical experiences, as well as contributions from their families and clinicians.

The Psychiatry Consultation Service is available to patients who have been admitted to an inpatient unit at Children's, as well as their families. The service—which operates on a referral basis—provides several offerings, including:

short-term therapy for hospitalized children
parent and sibling consultations
teaching healthy coping skills for the whole family
educating members of the medical treatment team about the relationship between physical illness and psychological distress

Children’s Department of Psychiatry has published a free booklet, “Helping Your Child with Medical Experiences: A Practical Parent Guide”. (Adobe Acrobat is required.)

Children’s Center for Families is dedicated to helping families locate the information and resources they need to better understand their child’s particular condition and take part in their care. All patients, families and health professionals are welcome to use the center's services at no extra cost. The Center for Families is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please call 617-355-6279 for more information.

The Children’s chaplaincy is a source of spiritual support for parents and family members. Our program includes nearly a dozen clergy members—representing Episcopal, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Unitarian and United Church of Christ traditions—who will listen to you, pray with you and help you observe your own faith practices during your child’s treatment.

For children and families affected by life-threatening illness, our Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) is available to provide supportive treatments intended to optimize the quality of life and promote healing and comfort. In addition, PACT can provide emotional support and help arrange end-of-life care when necessary. Please call 617-632-5042 for more information.