Fragile X Program at Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center, Children’s Hospital of Orange County

The Fragile X Program of the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at Children’s Hospital of Orange County is a member of the National Fragile X Foundation’s Fragile X Clinical & Research Consortium (FXCRC)

Who We Are

The Fragile X Program at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC is an interdisciplinary program that provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment services for children with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and other Fragile X-associated disorders. The center joined the Fragile X Clinical & Research Consortium in March 2022.

Who We Serve

We serve children and young adults with Fragile X syndrome and Fragile X-associated disorders (FXD). The Fragile X Program also provides services and referrals for premutation carriers with Fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency syndrome (FXPOI).

Our interdisciplinary team of clinicians from a variety of specialties manages the unique medical, behavioral, and educational needs of each patient. These specialties include:

• Neurology
• Genetic Counseling & Testing
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Social Work
• Speech & Language
• Occupational Therapy
• Applied Behavior Analysis (and other behavior-cognitive therapies)
• Neuropsychology
• School Services & Placement

What to Expect at the Clinic Visit

At the initial appointment and evaluation, patients are seen by specialists from neurology, neurodevelopmental disabilities, or developmental pediatrics and psychology, as well as a social worker and resource coordinator.

Speech-language, genetic testing/counseling, psychiatry, clinical social work, neuropsychology testing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavior psychology, and other disciplines are scheduled based on clinical need. Medication management is also provided if needed.

Follow-up appointments will be scheduled regularly as needed.

Research

Access to research studies will be provided, with some studies conducted at our center and others at sites across the country through the Fragile X Consortium.

Leadership

Sailaja Golla, MD
Director, Fragile X Program at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC

Dr. Golla is a board-certified neurologist and neurodevelopmentalist with national and international expertise in the field of autism. She underwent post-graduate clinical training to complete a residency in neurodevelopmental disabilities to become one of very few neurodevelopmental disabilities specialists in the country. She is an active advocate and cheerleader for making life better for children with Fragile X syndrome, autism, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. She is the principal investigator for several Fragile X and autism research studies and has published and has been a speaker at national and international conferences.

J. Thomas Megerian, MD, PhD, FAAP
Board-certified pediatrician and adult and child neurologist specializing in autistic spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders

Dr. Megerian trained in pediatrics at Boston City Hospital and did his adult and child neurology residency and fellowship at the Harvard-Longwood Neurology and Boston Children’s Hospital training programs, respectively. He also completed a fellowship in behavioral neurology and neuropharmacology at Boston Children’s Hospital. He is currently attending neurologist and associate professor (volunteer faculty) at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and the University of California, Irvine, respectively. Dr. Megerian serves as the clinical director of the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center as well as the Division Chief for Neurodevelopmental Medicine at CHOC.