The Brainy Bunch offers Paediatric Neurology Services Brisbane

We provide specialist Paediatric Neurologist services in Brisbane for infants, children and adolescents from age 0 to 18 years.

The types of neurological conditions our Paediatric Neurologist treats include:

  • Seizures, epilepsy, and other paroxysmal neurological symptoms
  • Headaches and migraine
  • Movement disorders (such as tics, tremor and concerns about co-ordination and motor development)
  • Hypotonia (low muscle tone), weakness and developmental delay
  • Functional neurological disorders
  • Neuroinflammatory conditions
  • Neurovascular conditions
  • Genetic neurological conditions

What is a Paediatric Neurologist?

A Paediatric Neurologist is a specialist doctor who is expert in assessing and treating conditions that affect the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, muscles, nerves) of infants, children and adolescents. Our Brisbane Paediatric Neurologist can provide expert and thorough diagnostic assessment and treatment in collaboration with other health care providers, including general practitioners, general paediatricians, other specialists, and allied health providers.

Some of the more common conditions our paediatric neurologist treats, include:

Seizures and epilepsy:

A Paediatric Neurologist is expert in the diagnosis and treatment of seizures and epilepsy. When a seizure occurs, a person has neurological symptoms caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy is diagnosed when there are recurrent seizures without a clear trigger such as fever. There are many different types of seizures and epilepsy, and it is very important to make an accurate diagnosis as this has an impact on treatment. A Paediatric Neurologist makes a diagnosis following thorough clinical assessment and sometimes investigations such as EEG (electroencephalography), brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and genetic testing might be requested to assist in diagnosis.

When a diagnosis of epileptic seizures is made, the Paediatric Neurologist will discuss treatment options that are aimed at preventing further seizures, such as treatment with anti-seizure medications. The Paediatric Neurologist will also provide education that includes advice about management of seizures and safety risks. A Paediatric Neurologist will provide a comprehensive management plan and discuss the longer-term prognosis for each person with epileptic seizures.  They will also consider and assess for conditions that can be associated with epilepsy, such learning and neurodevelopmental difficulties. 

EEG (electroencephalography):

EEG is a non-invasive test that assesses the electrical activity of the brain through placement of electrodes on the scalp.  Our neurologist might request EEG if your child has seizures or is suspected to have seizures. We perform EEG at the Brainy Bunch. Our EEG scientists are highly experienced in paediatric EEG allowing us to deliver a high quality and timely service.   For overnight EEG our neurologist provides a service at the Mater Children’s Hospital in South Brisbane and can admit to the Queensland Children’s Hospital Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (if public hospital referral criteria are met).

Headaches and migraine:

Headaches are a common symptom in children and adolescents. Recurrent headaches can negatively impact a young persons’ participation in school and other activities and can cause significant pain and distress. A Paediatric Neurologist assessment of headaches starts with a thorough history and physical assessment that considers the different causes of headaches in young people.  Other investigations and assessments such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the brain or vision assessment might be recommended.

Migraine is one of the most common causes of headaches in children in adolescents. A Paediatric Neurologist provides specialist expertise in managing migraines in young people. A Paediatric Neurologist will perform a thorough assessment that includes consideration of the precipitants of migraine in the young person. The Paediatric Neurologist will develop a comprehensive management plan that is tailored to the individual and considers the young persons’ physical health along with their lifestyle and emotional health. Medication options are considered within this holistic management approach.

Movement and Motor disorders:

Paediatric Neurologists are expert in the medical assessment of conditions affecting the way the body moves such as delayed motor development, stiffness, cerebral palsy, low muscle tone and tremor. A Paediatric Neurologist assessment begins with a comprehensive history and physical assessment. The Paediatric Neurologist will collaborate with allied health clinicians such as physiotherapists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists to understand the cause of the child’s difficulties. A Paediatric Neurologist might organise further investigations to look for the cause of the movement problem such as a brain MRI or genetic testing.

Functional neurological disorders:

Functional neurological symptoms are common in children and adolescents and when more severe and persistent they can impair a young persons’ ability to fully participate in and enjoy their normal daily activities. A Paediatric Neurologist is expert in the diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorders (FND). A Paediatric Neurologist can also lead development of a comprehensive management plan for Functional Neurological Disorders in collaboration with the young person, family and other members of the health team.

Paediatric Neurology Telehealth services:

Our Brisbane Paediatric Neurologist provides services to young people in regional areas of Queensland through telehealth services and through facilitating visits to Brisbane for Paediatric Neurology assessment co-ordinated with any other required investigations or assessments. Regional families needing to travel for specialist medical services can check their eligibility for a travel subsidy through the Queensland Government Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme:  The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Enquire today.


HOW TO

Start the process

To begin psychological therapy or an assessment

You do not need a referral to see a psychologist for therapy or assessment. However, Medicare rebates are available for those who have a Mental Health Care Plan. To obtain a Mental Health Care Plan, you will need to visit your GP or a Psychiatrist or a Paediatrician. Medicare rebates are not offered for assessments.

To book an appointment with a Paediatrician, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist or Paediatric Neurologist

For an appointment with one of our medical specialists, please see your General Practitioner (GP) or current medical specialist and discuss a referral to our service. A referral from a GP or medical specialist is required, and once this has been received, our team will be in contact with you.

To begin speech therapy or a language assessment

You do not need a referral to see a speech pathologist for an assessment or therapy. However, Medicare rebates may be available for those who have a Chronic Disease GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement. You will need to speak with your GP to determine if you are eligible for referral under these schemes. Medicare referrals are also available under a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder or other eligible disability (including Autism) scheme. Speak to your child’s GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist for a referral under this scheme.

HAVE A QUESTION?

Enquire Now

For enquiries or to book an appointment, please email admin@thebrainybunch.com.au or call (07) 3846 4554. Alternatively, you can complete the contact form below, and one of our reception team will be in touch to answer your query or book an appointment.