Neuromuscular Clinic

The Neuromuscular Clinic provides specialized care for children from birth to 18 years old who have been diagnosed with or are showing signs of a neuromuscular condition. These conditions affect the motor unit, which includes the muscles, motor neurons, peripheral nerves, and neuromuscular junction. When any part of this system is compromised, it can lead to symptoms like muscle weakness, difficulty with movement, or poor muscle tone.

Common conditions we manage include spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), muscular dystrophies, neuropathies, myopathies, and disorders of the neuromuscular junction. Parents may notice signs such as delayed motor milestones, difficulty swallowing, or muscle weakness. If you're concerned about any of these symptoms, our clinic is here to support you.

We complete the diagnostic process and provide detailed care for specific conditions. We can provide therapies if applicable to the condition or appropriate for research. We follow our patients very closely from a holistic lens often providing supportive and comprehensive health care.  

The clinic can refer out to other community partners for services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language and nutrition services.  

We currently have two specialty clinics that take a multidisciplinary approach during each visit: 

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy 
• Charcot Marie Tooth Disease 

Learn more about the Neuromuscular Program Visit the Neuromuscular Learning Hub

Your appointment information will be provided to you through a mailed letter at least one month before the appointment. For urgent appointments for patients already followed by our Neuromuscular Program please contact the clinic directly.  

For EMG/NCS appointments, you will also receive a letter in the mail ahead of your appointment. Approximately one week before your scheduled test, you will receive a phone call from our nurse confirming your appointment and to answer any questions you may have about the test. Patients are encouraged to bring some comfort toys or technology used for distraction. As well, it is recommended that the patient wears lose clothing to get access to the limb(s) to be tested.  

To confirm, cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact the booking office at 416-813-7383 ext. 2. For MRI appointments, please call 416-813-5774.

Once you arrive at the hospital, take the main elevators in the Atrium up to the 6th Floor to the 6C Neurology clinic. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to allow for time to check in. 

Upon arrival at our clinic, register at the front desk, where you will update your contact information such as address, phone number, health card and primary care provider information.

You will then be asked to wait in our waiting room until our patient coordinator takes you to a patient room. Your child’s height and weight will be taken and our clinic nurse will review with you any current medications that you may be on. You and your child will then meet with the neuromuscular specialist. 

For EMG/NCS testing, a technologist will bring you to the testing room, where you will have a consultation by one of our neuromuscular fellows. Your clinical history will be taken, and a neurological examination will be performed. This will allow us to determine what testing your child will need.

The three procedures are:

1. Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) – tests how electrical impulses travel along the nerve and tests how healthy the nerves are.
2. Electromyogram (EMG) (if clinically indicated) – tests how your muscles and nerves “talk” to one another.
3. Point of care ultrasound (if clinically indicated) – we will scan your child's individual nerves and muscles using an ultrasound machine. 

For Health-care Providers

We accept referrals to the Neuromuscular Clinic through the Division of Neurology. Please note at this time we are unable to accept referrals for second opinions unless referred by another neurologist. Learn more about how to Refer a Patient. 

For international patient referrals, please contact the SickKids International Patient Program.