UAB Synopsis, Vol. 27, No. 13, April 7, 2008
The UAB Behavioral Genetics Clinic opened earlier this year to provide a single medical home for children and adults who have complicated genetic disorders with problematic behavior and developmental delay as integral components.
“The behavioral aspects of these disorders can be overwhelming for families, and problems may increase as patients mature and become more physically imposing to aging parents,” says pediatric neurologist Alan K. Percy, MD, clinic director. “We offer practical, coordinated assistance with a team approach to treatment and counseling.” Dr. Percy is associate director of the UAB Civitan International Research Center.
The Behavioral Genetics Clinic primarily sees patients with a defined diagnosis of Angelman, Prader-Willi, velocardiofacial (DiGeorge), or Williams syndromes but is not limited to these conditions. Most patients are aged 1 to 10 years, but adolescents and adults also are treated.
Families consult with a team of specialists that includes Dr. Percy, geneticist Edward J. Lose, MD, and a registered nurse, developmental psychologist, nutritionist, and social worker, with access to consuling psychiatrists, cardiologists, occupational therapists, and speech/lan-guage pathologists — all with experience managing behavioral genetic disorders.
“We saw the need for a clinic to evaluate problematic situations and provide direction for management and hands-on help with issues, which often include nutritional problems,” Dr. Percy says.
“The clinic is of extra value when a patient develops symptoms of a complication expected at a particular developmental stage, such as hypertension resulting in renal disease in Williams syndrome or orthopaedic problems resulting from excess weight in Prader-Willi syndrome,” he says.
Dr. Lose, who, along with Dr. Percy and geneticist Nathaniel H. Robin, MD, helped develop the clinic, says, “Our goal is not only to prevent illness, but also to allow individuals to participate in family activities and other aspects of life.”
Dr. Percy is available via e-mail at percy@uab.edu.