The Kennedy Krieger Institute (/ˈkriːɡər/) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, Johns Hopkins affiliate located in Baltimore, Maryland, that provides in-patient and out-patient medical care, community services, and school-based programs for children and adolescents with learning disabilities,[1] as well as disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal system.
The Institute provides services for children with developmental concerns mild to severe and is involved in research of various disorders, including new interventions and earlier diagnosis.
[2] The Kennedy Krieger Institute opened its doors in 1937 when Winthrop Phelps, an orthopedic surgeon from Baltimore, responded to a dire need for treatment for individuals with cerebral palsy.
The institute's interdisciplinary approach brings together a team of professionals from various fields and departments to create treatment plans tailored to the special needs of each child throughout all stages of care.
[6] Kennedy Krieger scientists research to prevent and cure pediatric neurological disorders, spinal cord injuries and developmental disabilities.
A team of international scientists and investigators at Kennedy Krieger is working to isolate culprit genes and develop new treatment models and therapies.
[citation needed] The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute focuses on professional training, community service, research, and information dissemination.
[9] In addition to the other core areas of focus, Kennedy Krieger also provides training opportunities to increase the number of qualified specialists in the field of neurological and developmental disabilities.
Although the research ethics review board at Johns Hopkins University approved the study, it has been strongly criticised for harming children and targeting African American communities,[11][12] and was the subject of several court cases,[13] including one where a sibling of an enrolled participant was awarded $1.84 million in damages.
Hugo Moser, a renowned scientist at Kennedy Krieger Institute, joined forces with the Odone's, ultimately proving that their treatment, Lorenzo's oil, can prevent the onset of ALD if begun before neurological symptoms appear.
Her work also focuses on developing early intervention models for toddlers with autism that help to improve a child's social, language, and cognitive skills.
McDonald left St. Louis and officially opened the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI) at Kennedy Krieger Institute on June 14, 2005.
[19] The Kennedy Krieger High School is a special education day program on the Greenspring campus in Baltimore, serving more than 200 students aged 14–21.