What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Movement Disorders Clinic
Whether you’re looking for an expert to evaluate your child’s symptoms or want a second opinion about their treatment options, we can help.
Making an Appointment at the Movement Disorders Clinic
You don’t need a physician referral to see one of our specialists. We routinely see patients referred to us by their provider, as well as families who reach out to us on their own (which is called a self-referral).
Learn how to schedule an appointment with the Cincinnati Children’s Movement Disorders Clinic.
Before Your Appointment
Here are a couple things we may ask for your help with to prepare for your first appointment:
Taking videos of your child’s movements. We know tics and some other involuntary movements can come and go—and may not show up during your child’s appointment. You can use your phone’s camera to record videos of their movements in different settings (such as at home or on the playground). We can instruct you on how to send us the videos ahead of time, or we can review them together during your appointment.
Filling out our intake questionnaire. We’ll send you a link to an online tool that you can fill out before your visit, to save time the day of your appointment. It asks questions about your child’s symptoms and how those symptoms impact your child and your family.
On the Day of Your Visit to the Movement Disorders Clinic
Arriving at Your Appointment
We recommend you arrive about 30 minutes before your appointment. This gives you time to park, make your way to our clinic and complete the check-in process.
At Your Appointment
During your appointment, we’ll take the time to get to know you and your child. We want to learn about your child’s symptoms and how they affect everyday life. Your provider also will:
- Perform a physical exam, including a neurological exam to look for muscle stiffness, balance problems and other signs of movement disorders.
- Observe and evaluate any involuntary movements your child makes during the visit.
- Review any previous test results.
- Ask questions about any previous or current treatments.
- Answer any questions you or your child have about their condition, prognosis, treatment options, etc.
Finally, we’ll also discuss any next steps your provider recommends. These may include:
- Additional diagnostic testing, such as imaging procedures or genetic testing.
- Starting a new treatment or stopping an existing treatment.
- Referring your child for services such as rehabilitation or psychotherapy.
- Determining when we’d like to see your child again—and how often they may need to schedule follow-up visits. We may be able to conduct some follow-up visits virtually, using video conferencing technology.
After Your Visit to the Movement Disorders Clinic
You will receive an “After Visit Summary” at the end of your appointment. It will include important details about upcoming appointments, test results, referrals to specialists and all medications (including new prescriptions). It also will include contact information for your child’s care team.
