title: Technical tips: performing EEGs and polysomnograms on children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
abstract: Electroencephalograms (EEGs) and polysomnograms (PSGs) are critical and frequently ordered tests in the care of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD). Performing studies with this population can be very intimidating, given that the referral reasons and seizure types can be unique, and children with NDD may have any combination of behavioral or sensory challenges that can make it difficult to successfully complete a study. This article presents a variety of strategies that can be used to overcome these challenges through good preparation, patience, caregiver involvement, effective behavioral management techniques, and education about the medical aspects of EEG/ PSG in NDD. This Technical Tips article features ideas and experiences from an EEG/PSG technologist, two board-certified child neurologists (one who is further certified in Clinical Neurophysiology, while the other is further certified in Sleep Medicine), and two behaviorally trained pediatric psychologists.
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paasch
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hoosier
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Accardo
authors.forename: Joshua B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ewen
authors.forename: Keith J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Slifer
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology