Current Environment:

Emergency management medication shortage

Concerta (Methylphenidate extended-release tablets) and Adderall XR Generic are unavailable from the manufacturer as of January 2023. Currently, there is also a nationwide shortage of ADHD medication. Please call your prescriber's office seven to 10 business days prior to when your next refill is due. We will work with prescribers to determine alternative medication if necessary. We understand this is inconvenient and frustrating. We ask for your patience at this time as our staff is working hard to help support our families.

The Boston Children’s Hospital Department of Neurology cares for infants, children, and adolescents with all types of neurologic and developmental disorders. From diagnosis through long-term follow up, we provide compassionate, comprehensive support to help every child reach his or her full potential. Science informs our care today and our work toward better care tomorrow.

We’re proud to uphold a historical legacy that dates to 1929, when we became the first dedicated child neurology service at a U.S. pediatric hospital. We went on to establish the country’s first pediatric epilepsy unit (in 1944), the first comprehensive pediatric sleep center (in 1978), and the first dedicated pediatric neurocritical care program (in 1996).

Neurology patient sitting in wheelchair accompanied by parents and clinician

Department of Neurology: Quick links

Why choose us?

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Boston Children’s Hospital among the nation’s top Neurology/Neurosurgery programs. Here are a few reasons:

Comprehensive services

Through nearly 40 specialized programs, we treat more nervous system conditions than any pediatric neurology program in the world, including rare and complex disorders. We offer advanced clinical services including a rapid response team, specialized Level 4 epilepsy care, genetics, rehabilitation programs and biofeedback treatment for headache.

Superior medical capabilities

With more than 60 child neurologists, 10 neuropsychologists and psychologists, and 30 nurses and nurse practitioners, we offer highly specialized, individualized care. We have received high marks for medical best practices in neurology and neurosurgery and for use of the most advanced technologies, and have been accredited for high nursing standards by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Quality orientation

We collaborate with multiple specialists to ensure the best possible care. All children’s outcomes are tracked in a quality control database. We also share data with the Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group and the National Healthcare Safety Network to continually improve care.

Supportive care

Our broad-based team provides family-centered care to meet each child’s medical, emotional and educational needs. A family resource center, family support specialists, pediatric psychologists, social workers and a parent advisory committee are available to you and your child. We also house the hospital’s Bullying & Cyberbullying Prevention & Advocacy Collaborative (BACPAC).

Our research

At any given time, our child neurologists are engaged in dozens of clinical trials to test new treatments. Our F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center is the nation’s top neuroscience hub with more than two dozen laboratories driving tomorrow’s treatments. Our doctors and scientists work together to bring research advances into patient care.

Blonde toddler with a big smile while outside.

Nathan’s rare diagnosis and happy recovery

Boston Children's doctors acted quickly when they saw Nathan exhibiting signs of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) — a disease often not diagnosed for weeks or months.