Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Outpatient Clinic
The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Outpatient Clinic provides ongoing assessment, intervention, consultation and educational services to people with ALS.
What to expect
Your first appointment with take approximately two hours and will involve diagnostic testing with the Neurologist and EMG Technologist. Depending on the outcome of this appointment, you will be invited back for a follow-up appointment with the Allied Team only. If you live out of town, the Allied Team will be available to meet with you during your initial appointment, as needed.
Follow-up appointments are generally 2.5 hours long, and the Neurologist and Allied Team will meet with you as needed. This depends on your energy level and your identified concerns and needs.
Appointments are typically scheduled 3 to 6 months apart. This is dependent on the Neurologist's assessment of your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who else can be involved in my care?
We have an established working partnership with Community health teams, Regional Palliative Care Services and the partner organizations listed below.
Partner organizations
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ALS Clinic – outpatient clinic referral form
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ALS Society of BC (ALSBC)
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Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program (PROP)
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Technology for Independent Living (TIL)
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Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults
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The ALS Clinic team roles
EMG Technologist
The EMG Technologist on the team helps the Neurologist evaluate nerve and muscle function. The Technologist uses electrical pulses to stimulate and record nerve potentials and assists the Neurologist with using small needle electrodes to assess muscle function.
Social Worker
The Social Worker provides therapeutic psychosocial and emotional support to clients and families around this life-changing diagnosis. The Social Worker also provides assistance to help with processing and adjusting to the diagnosis and progression over time while assisting in navigating the health-care system. In addition, the Social Worker will help to facilitate supportive discussions about what is important to the client regarding future health care decision-making, autonomy and quality of life.
Speech-Language Pathologist
The Speech-Language Pathologist assesses swallowing needs and provides compensatory techniques and diet textures to promote safe swallowing. The Speech-Language Pathologist also evaluates communication and recommends strategies to support speech and appropriate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.
Registered Dietitian
The Registered Dietitian assesses nutrition and hydration status. The Dietitian works with clients and families to provide education to meet nutritional needs and minimize unwanted weight loss in collaboration with the Speech-Language Pathologist on food and liquid consistencies for the safest swallow.
Physiotherapist
The Physiotherapist optimizes safe and independent mobility by recommending gait aids and lower limb bracing as appropriate and implementing individualized exercise programs to maximize comfort and function. The Physiotherapist also assists with cardiorespiratory management strategies to optimize lung function and facilitate secretion clearance.
Occupational Therapist
An Occupational Therapist helps to solve problems that interfere with a person's ability to do everyday activities that are important to them. This includes everything from dressing, bathing, eating, and moving around the house. The Occupational Therapist also enables a person to participate in work and community activities through adaptation, modification, equipment and assistive technology.
Registered Nurse
The Registered Nurse helps assess and manage client symptoms, recommends treatments, and refers to other health care professionals as necessary. The Registered Nurse also provides education about the disease and current research in ALS to clients, their families and local community health teams.