The Neurodevelopmental Clinic for Early Exposures at Kennedy Krieger Institute provides diagnostic services and comprehensive treatment for the complex cognitive, behavioral and neurodevelopmental conditions associated with prenatal exposures to alcohol, drugs and infections.
These exposures can impact an individual’s neurological development, leading to challenges in executive function, learning, motor skills and other areas, and an increased likelihood of developing epilepsy. Early intervention and treatment services, however, can vastly improve a child’s neurological outcomes.
The clinic evaluates and treats children 3 to 10 years old who experienced adverse exposures during their mother’s pregnancy.
Our Goals
The clinic’s goals are to identify children who experienced adverse prenatal exposures as soon as possible and provide them with long-term treatment to reduce the impact of those exposures.
Our Team
The clinic’s team brings an interdisciplinary approach to assessment and intervention. Team members include:
- Neurodevelopmental neurologists
- Pediatric psychologists
- Clinical social workers
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
Our Treatment Approach
There’s no specific cure or treatment for adverse prenatal exposures. The physical and mental impacts of these exposures can persist for a lifetime. But early intervention services may reduce some of the effects and may prevent some secondary disabilities.
Intervention services typically begin with a comprehensive initial evaluation of the child, which generally includes:
- In-depth history
- Physical examination
- Neurological examination
- Developmental and behavioral observation
Clinicians then use the results of the evaluation to determine the best treatment options for the child, which could include:
- Interventions to help with learning and behavioral challenges
- Therapies to assist with mobility and speech challenges
- Medications to help manage symptoms
Make a Referral
For referrals to the Neurodevelopmental Clinic for Early Exposures, serving age 3-10 years with prenatal exposures, please contact Lauren Hargis online or by phone at 443-923-9150. We can also be reached by fax at 667-205-4605.