Lawrence W. Brown, MDWelcome to the Foundation’s website where you can learn about the mission, projects and activities of the Foundation as well as useful information about the neurologic disorders that affect up to 25% of all children. These disorders range from the common issues of headaches, ADHD and febrile seizures to the growing problem of autism to rare disorders including Dravet syndrome and mitochondrial encephalopathies.
For the past 9 years the Child Neurology Foundation has been supporting the research careers of young investigators, providing summer fellowships for medical students to get a taste of the exciting challenges of the field, honoring the best of the advocacy organizations dealing with neurologic or developmental disorders, and working in other ways to increase the numbers of child neurologists as well as providing direction for the families of affected children.
This year has been among our most productive and challenging. Our first comprehensive educational program was just launched with Infantile Spasms Awareness Week (see the link on the website) in addition to brochures and a DVD addressed to pediatricians and the lay public. We also helped develop and publish a telephone manual in conjunction with the Association of Child Neurology Nurses. We completed pilot programs with the American Association of School Nurses and CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) and we hope to find the resources to expand educational programs for these organizations.
The serious challenges of a changing medical environment and the current fiscal climate have threatened the viability of our mission, but we have responded with more vigorous partnerships with industry, an active fundraising campaign through “The Circle of 25” and local projects like a Mardi Gras event in Minneapolis and a music gala in Pittsburgh.
Through this website and the projects underwritten by the Foundation, together we will provide information, education, and advocacy for child neurologists, other medical professionals and, especially, for the patients and their families. We will periodically be updating the site in the hope that it becomes a valuable resource and reference tool for your use. Your suggestions and feedback are enthusiastically encouraged; please contact us at jstone@childneurologyfoundation.org.
Thank you,
Lawrence W. Brown, MD
President
