Cathy J. Husman ALS Center

You will be evaluated by a dietitian at each clinic visit to assess your nutrition, the need for supplements, and to provide recommendations to maintain weight and prevent malnutrition. The dietitian will also provide recommendations and education on the use and care of a PEG (feeding) tube. 

Diseases like ALS affect all aspects of a person’s life, as well as the lives of their families. It is important to address the emotional, cognitive, and quality of life issues that arise as people face the challenges of living with ALS. 

You will be seen by Dr. Locatelli and Dr. Lopes, neuromuscular disease experts with extensive experience in treating patients with ALS. During your visit, they will review common symptoms and concerns, perform a physical examination, and discuss treatment options, medications, equipment, and research opportunities.  

Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of your illness to help you and your family make challenging medical decisions and provide education about end-of-life issues.

You will be evaluated by a physical and occupational therapist to assess range of motion, strength, and muscle function at each clinic appointment. They may also recommend orthotics or supplies.  

Research opportunities will be discussed with you during your clinic visits.

You will be evaluated by a respiratory therapist to collect breathing measurements at each clinic appointment. When it is appropriate, machines to assist in cough and breathing (eg., cough assist machine and non-invasive ventilator) may be ordered to assist breathing and help maintain lung health. Suction machines can also be ordered for patients with difficulty managing secretions and saliva.  

A social worker and a representative from the ALS Association (ALSA) will meet with you at every clinic visit. They will provide you with community resources and life planning, including information about long-term care services, advanced directives, support groups, and different types of funding that are available for patients with ALS and caregivers.

Visit the ALS Association

As ALS progresses, the muscles that support speech and swallowing become impaired. Your Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) will assess speech and swallowing at each visit and make recommendations that may include an instrumental swallowing evaluation, swallowing strategies and compensations, and options for voice preservation and alternative communication.

We offer custom wheelchair evaluations by our Physical Therapist. This expert evaluation consists of a head-to-toe assessment of the physical capacity and limitations of patients in order to recommend the most appropriate manual or power wheelchair that would best meet each patient's needs. Custom modifications will be identified, and all measurements will be taken to ensure the chair is the proper fit. We then work together with an Assistive Technology Professional, who will provide the wheelchair, to ensure the process is streamlined and that all functional mobility needs are met.

During the swallowing clinic, you will undergo an instrumental swallowing evaluation to look at the muscles of your mouth and throat while you eat and drink various foods/liquids. This helps us ensure swallowing is safe and efficient and avoid respiratory infections and weight loss that are known to be a problem for pALS.

During this communication appointment, you will have the opportunity to learn more about voice preservation and try out different forms of low and high-technology communication aides.