Parkinson's and Movement Disorders

• Clinical psychologist — a therapist who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders
• Dietitians who provide nutritional support for patients.
• Geriatric neuropsychiatrist — physicians who assess cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems related to brain disorders of older adults
• Neurologists — physicians who diagnose and treat diseases of and injury to the nervous system, which includes diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. All physicians in the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Program are specially trained in evaluating and treating movement disorders.
• Neuropsychologists — psychologists who specialize in the effect of brain injury/disease on behavior and cognition (the ability to think, reason and perceive); they identify ways to help people relearn and/or compensate for neurological functions that are impaired.
• Nurses specially trained in movement disorders.
• Occupational therapists — therapists who evaluate the self-care, work and leisure skills of a person and plan and implement activities to develop, restore and/or maintain the ability to accomplish activities of daily living (eating, dressing, bathing) and occupational tasks.
• Physical therapists — therapists who teach exercises and physical activities to help condition muscles and restore strength and movement, assess patients' balance and address fall prevention.
• Physiatrists — physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation who work to restore optimal function to people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues and nervous system
• Rehabilitation psychologists — psychologists who specialize in helping individuals, family members and caregivers who struggle with the effects of a disability.
• Social workers — professionals who provide psychological and social support to patients and families to help them cope with illness. Social workers advocate for patients, connect them with needed resources, counsel patients, advise family caregivers and help plan care beyond the hospital.
• Speech-language pathologists (speech therapists) — therapists who assess, diagnose, treat and help prevent disorders related to speech, language, communication, voice and swallowing.

Date: Feb. 10, 2011

Online Editor(s): Kailyn Garro