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ALS Clinic Team

Each specialist is responsible for different aspects of treatment

Neurologist in the ALS Clinic is to monitor clinical function, initiate treatment programs as needed, and provide overall support to the patient and family. It's important that you find a Neurologist experienced in the diagnosis and care of ALS patients,

A nurse clinic coordinator is responsible for the details in running the clinic and is the main contact between the different ALS team members and the patients and their families. The nurses in the clinic also provide a multitude of services, including monitoring of vital signs and weight, maintaining the medical records for each clinic visit, assessing general health problems and providing practical solutions, and testing functional changes in the patient's clinical status. In addition, research nurses coordinate the different clinical drug studies for patients attending the clinic. Nursing provides a vital link within the ALS team and constantly strives to offer the best care possible for patients with ALS

Pulmonary Specialist is to carefully monitor the respiratory status and initiate prompt intervention when needed. Careful monitoring of the respiratory system, guidance in ways to lessen complications, and immediate treatment of changes in the respiratory status are critical to the over-all care of patients with ALS...

Speech/Language Pathologist will assess the patient's communication skills, implement strategies to enhance communication, and provide patient/family education. There are many different augmentative communication devices available, such as magic writing slates, alphabet boards, picture boards, eye scanning boards, electronic devices with voice output, and even high-tech computerized devices. Careful examination of the features, benefits, and liabilities of each device is necessary, and an individualized program must be developed to assure effective communication.

Occupational Therapist provides the ALS patient with options, resources, and information for maintaining independence in activities of daily living. At each clinic visit, the occupational therapist assesses the patient's functional abilities and activities of daily living . These include range of motion, muscle strength, mobility, and performance in activities of daily living such as dressing, feeding, hygiene, and in the work environment. Intervention consists of instruction in motion economy, pacing techniques, methods to decrease resistance to muscle groups, and body mechanics for use in the home and workplace

Physical Therapist are in three main areas: exercise, equipment, and safety. For each patient, they seek to promote the highest level of possible function, promote safety in all aspects of life, and provide instruction for exercise and equipment.

Physical Therapy can help people with ALS learn to adjust to their physical disabilities maximize existing capabilities and prevent further loss of motion or prevent pain that may develop from stiff joints.

By evaluating each patient's joint range of motion, strength and general mobility skills, physical therapists can provide guidance for such tasks as walking or getting out of a chair. They specialize in:

1. Improving function and providing instruction on managing physical disabilities.
2. Recommending appropriate exercises to maintain flexibility, while preventing and reducing physical pain.
3. Providing instruction regarding the use of assistive devices, braces or other mobility aids to maximize independence.

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