Looking at possibilities
Does your child have a neurological disorder that causes – possibly – a learning, behavioral or developmental disorder? Then the Center for Neurological Learning and Development Disabilities at Kempenhaeghe is the place to go.
We are ready to help you when the learning performance and/or the development of your child lag begin the actual possibilities. We can give you an insight in the learning potential of your child and in the consequences of the neurological disorder for the learning and developmental potential of your child. You can also come to us for a second opinion.
Headed by a pediatric neurologist and a neuropsychologist we will focus on the capacities of and opportunities for your child. Our goal: optimal treatment and/or care advice that will help you and your child get further.
Perspective
We offer expertise from the disciplines pediatric neurology, clinical neuro-psychology and neurodidactics and, if necessary, add expertise from other disciplines such as (ortho)pedagogy, physiotherapy, ergotherapy, speech therapy or social work.
We work closely together with our external partners in university hospitals specialized in the medical side of the neurological disorders and involve the doctor of your child. This is how we obtain insight in what your child can do from a wider perspective.
Clarifying the diagnosis
Children with a neurological disorder may, in addition to physical problems, also experience learning and developmental problems. In our Center for Neurological Learning and Development Disabilities we examine their learning disabilities and their learning potential.
We help children with a wide range of neurological disorders: deviations or infections of the nervous system, traumatic brain injuries, neurological disorders that are the result of complications at birth or heredity.
There are special care programs for children with a neuro-muscular disease and for children with neurofibromatosis type 1.
Types of examinations
Neuropsychological examinations are always at the basis. These examinations, that take a day, consist of a series of tests with breaks in between. Most children enjoy making these tests.
Before your child does the tests, you will be asked to fill out a survey concerning your child’s development. With your permission we will also look at the results of previous examinations and tests. If necessary, we will talk to the referring doctor. During the first consult the pediatric neurologist and the neuro-psychologist will ask additional questions. They will take ample time to listen to you and your child. Next, they will determine if and which additional examinations are required.
Personalizing treatment and care
When the diagnosis can be made, you will receive advice for treatment and/or care. Together, the pediatric neurologist and the neuro-psychologist will explain the diagnosis and advice to you.
With your permission, Kempenhaeghe will inform the referring doctor who will start treatment. If so desired, we can also inform the school and other care providers of your child concerning your child’s problems and the treatment approach.
Sometimes treatment or a training is started at Kempenhaeghe. Sometimes a diagnosis cannot be given after the examinations have taken place. We will then follow your child and repeat the examinations and the assessment of your child’s development at a later time.
Meeting the treatment provider of your child?
The expertise of the pediatric neurologist and neuropsychologist are leading; they are always involved in your child. If so required, the team is expanded with other professionals, such as a pediatric psychologist, somnologist, social worker, educational home mentor, or paramedics. Kempenhaeghe has all of these disciplines in-house. The final medical responsibility is with the pediatric neurologist.
Visiting the outpatient clinic
During your first appointment at Kempenhaeghe both the pediatric neurologist and the neuro-psychologist are present. They will take the time for you and your child. Following this consult your child will be invited for neuro-psychological examinations. Children usually like these tests very much – they are like games. A psychological assistant will accompany your child, makes it feel at ease and explains the tests. A video-camera registers the test.
Based on the outcome of the tests we try to determine the cause of your child’s learning and/or developmental disorder. Next, we will offer a treatment/care advice. This is sometime started at Kempenhaeghe. Later on, we will refer your child back to the regular doctor and/or care provider. If applicable, and if you give us permission, we will inform your child’s school of the outcome and approach.
Quality and safety
The activities of the Center for Neurological Learning and Development Disabilities are relatively young. Since its set-up in 2008 the Center has helped more than 1.200 children and youths. In 70% of them a new, not previously found diagnosis was made regarding their learning and developmental problems, eventually leading to their improved feeling of wellbeing and learning performance at school.
This result, in this time of savings in health care, was reason for the College of Health Insurers to mark the services of the Center for Neurological Learning and Developmental Disorders as specialist medical care and part of the basic health insurance offering.
Quality of care and safety are key. Kempenhaeghe is NIAZ-certified. This means that the Dutch Institute for Accreditation in Care has determined that we meet the standard set in the international accreditation program NIAZ Qualicor Europe.
Moreover, each month we ask patients to take part in our patient satisfaction survey. Based on their experiences and opinions we see what we do well and where we can improve. This is how we continuously work on the quality of our care. Zorgkaart Nederland also lists reviews of patients regarding our organization and care providers.
Cooperation in patient care
Children that come to the Center for Neurological Learning and Development Disabilities, are often being treated in an academic hospital for their neurological disorder. They are specifically referred to us for the accompanying learning and developmental problems.
This is why the cooperation between the Center for Neurological Learning and Development Disabilities and those academic hospitals is important and necessary. We already had close ties with Maastricht UMC+. In addition, we are also acknowledged nationally as the expertise center in the field of Duchenne muscle dystrophy and neurofibromatosis. We are part of the Duchenne Centrum Nederland with partners Leiden UMC, Radboudumc and Duchenne Parent Project Nederland. We also participate in the expertise center for neurofibromatosis ENCORE-NF-1 of the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam.
We tune our treatment and care advice with the mental health care organization (GGZ) and with special education. The cooperation with Kempenhaeghe-affiliated education expertise center De Berkenschutse if very intensive. It goes without saying that we can also easily involve the Kempenhaeghe centers for epilepsy and sleep disorders.