Doctors and dentists
Pediatric Neurologists in Los Angeles
Where LA families can see a child neurologist, from CHLA, UCLA and Cedars-Sinai to Harbor-UCLA, Long Beach and private practices in Pasadena, the Valley and Beverly Hills, with what the first visit, an EEG and an MRI involve.
A pediatric neurologist is a medical doctor trained in pediatrics and in neurology who treats children’s brain, spine, nerve and muscle conditions: seizures and epilepsy, headaches and migraine, tics, developmental delay and regression, cerebral palsy, concussion and neuromuscular disease. In Los Angeles, the biggest child neurology divisions are at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, UCLA Mattel and Cedars-Sinai, with others at Harbor-UCLA in Torrance and Miller Children’s in Long Beach, and private practices in Pasadena, Santa Clarita and Beverly Hills. Most need a referral from your pediatrician.
On this page
- 11 pediatric neurologists and child neurology clinics in Los Angeles
- When a child needs a neurologist, and when a developmental pediatrician is the better first call
- What the first visit is like, and what an EEG or MRI involves
- Referrals, waits and getting it paid for in LA: insurance, Medi-Cal, CCS and regional centers
- How to check board certification
- Questions parents ask
- How we made this list
11 pediatric neurologists and child neurology clinics in Los Angeles
Hospital and university divisions come first, then private practices across Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, the Valley and Santa Clarita, the South Bay and Long Beach, and the Westside. Several private practices also see adults. The order isn’t a ranking; call to confirm ages, insurance and wait times.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles: Neurological Institute
East Hollywood (Los Feliz), with Encino · 4650 Sunset Blvd, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Good for Complex epilepsy and rare neurological conditions
CHLA’s Division of Neurology works out of a 23,000-square-foot outpatient center on the main campus, with 34 exam rooms, a five-room EEG lab and 35 neurologists and neurosurgeons. Its Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is a Level 4 center, the highest rating from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, with on-site genetic testing. Its pages also name neuroimmunology, sleep medicine, movement and neuromuscular disorders, stroke and brain injury. CHLA says its neurologists are board-certified or board-eligible, and child neurologists also see patients at its Encino center.
- Level 4 epilepsy center (NAEC)
- EEG lab with five rooms
- Neuroimmunology, sleep, movement, neuromuscular
- Also seen in Encino: 818-788-3061
- Referrals: 888-631-2452
UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Neurology
Westwood, with Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Torrance and Calabasas · 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 265, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Good for Infantile spasms, tuberous sclerosis, sports concussion
UCLA’s Division of Pediatric Neurology sees infants, children and teens in Westwood and at UCLA pediatric offices in Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Torrance and Calabasas. Named programs include an Infantile Spasms Program for babies under 2, an Adolescent Epilepsy Center, a Ketogenic Diet Therapy Program (referral required), a Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Center of Excellence, a Neurodevelopmental Disorders Program for ADHD and autism, and the Steve Tisch BrainSPORT concussion program. Provider pages list accepted plans; one epileptologist also sees children at Olive View-UCLA in Sylmar.
- Infantile Spasms Program (under 2)
- TSC Center of Excellence
- BrainSPORT concussion program
- Ketogenic diet program (referral needed)
- Santa Monica office: 424-259-8570
Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s Pediatric Neurology
Beverly Grove · 8723 Alden Dr, Spielberg Building, Suite 240, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Good for A first seizure seen quickly; tics and PANDAS
Cedars-Sinai’s pediatric neurology clinic lists ADHD, autism, epilepsy and seizures, headaches and migraines, myopathies, neurodevelopmental disabilities, neurogenetic conditions, neuropathy, and tic disorders and PANDAS among its areas of expertise. Its Pediatric Epilepsy Program says it aims to see a child within a week of a first seizure, and a new Epilepsy Monitoring Unit does overnight or multi-day EEG recording to find out whether and where seizures are happening. A Pediatric Neurogenetics Clinic covers genetic diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
- Aims to see a first seizure within a week
- Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (overnight EEG)
- Tic disorders and PANDAS
- Pediatric Neurogenetics Clinic
- Pediatric line: 833-383-7337
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center: Division of Pediatric Neurology
1000 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90502
Good for South Bay families on Medi-Cal or without insurance
LA County’s public teaching hospital in Torrance, run with UCLA’s medical school. Its Department of Pediatrics lists a Division of Pediatric Neurology, and the hospital’s specialty-care list includes neurology. As of October 2026 the division’s own page is password-protected, so call to ask about the clinic; the department’s subspecialist appointment line is 424-306-7338. Like other Harbor-UCLA specialty care, a visit usually starts with a request from your child’s primary care provider.
- LA County teaching hospital
- Subspecialist appointments: 424-306-7338
- Usually needs a primary care referral
- Pediatrics department: 424-306-5600
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach: Neurology Center
Long Beach, with Torrance · 2801 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806
Good for Long Beach and South Bay kids, birth to 21
The Neurology Center at Miller Children’s treats children from birth through 21 and continues care into adulthood. Its pediatric neurologists evaluate and manage conditions such as epilepsy, migraines, attention deficit disorder, Guillain-Barré syndrome and cerebral palsy, work with neurosurgeons and oncologists on brain tumors, and order EEGs and MRIs through the hospital’s imaging center. The same doctors also see patients at the Torrance Outpatient Specialty Center (3640 Lomita Blvd) and at Adult & Child Neurology Medical Associates (2880 Atlantic Ave, Suite 260, 562-490-3580).
- Birth through 21
- Epilepsy, migraine, ADD, brain tumors
- EEG and MRI on site
- Torrance office: 3640 Lomita Blvd
millerchildrens.memorialcare.org (opens their site)714-377-6993On Summerground
Providence Medical Institute Torrance Neurology: Farah Villanueva, DO
4201 Torrance Blvd, Suite 560, Torrance, CA 90503
Good for Spanish-speaking South Bay families
Dr. Villanueva grew up in the South Bay and is trained in both adult and pediatric neurology, with her residency at Harbor-UCLA. Her Providence page says she treats patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, and speaks English and Spanish. Her office is in the Providence Medical Institute building across from Torrance Memorial, and the page has an insurance checker for new patients.
- Adult and pediatric neurology
- Trained at Harbor-UCLA
- English and Spanish
- Insurance checker on her page
West Coast Neurology
South Pasadena, Arcadia and San Pedro · 625 Fair Oaks Ave, Unit 175, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Good for San Gabriel Valley kids with epilepsy
An adult and pediatric neurology group with offices in South Pasadena, Arcadia and San Pedro, plus Pomona, Chino and Laguna Hills. Its pediatric program is co-directed by Nori Pimentel, MD, board-certified in child neurology and neurophysiology, and Jyes Querubin, MD, a board-certified pediatric neurologist and epileptologist; Brian Choi, MD, trained in child neurology and epilepsy at CHLA. It offers in-person and virtual visits and same-day consultations, and its site lists plans it takes, including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, Tricare and UnitedHealthcare.
- Three pediatric neurologists
- Pediatric epileptologist on staff
- Virtual visits and same-day consults
- Lists Aetna, Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net
- Arcadia: 1015 N 1st Ave, Suite A
westcoastneurology.com (opens their site)626-598-3770On Summerground
AMS Neurology: Charles Niesen, MD
960 E Green St, Suite L-11, Pasadena, CA 91106
Good for Epilepsy, Tourette’s and ADHD in one practice
A child neurology practice in Pasadena led by Charles Niesen, MD, who is board-certified in child neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, was on the faculty at CHLA and later directed the Division of Child Neurology at Cedars-Sinai. The practice treats epilepsy, migraines, concussions, cerebral palsy, Tourette syndrome, ADHD, learning disorders and autism spectrum disorder. New patient visits run 45 minutes to an hour and follow-ups 20 to 30 minutes, by appointment only; the office is open every other Saturday morning and says it accepts most insurance.
- Board-certified child neurologist (ABPN)
- New visits 45–60 minutes
- Epilepsy, migraine, Tourette’s, ADHD
- Open every other Saturday morning
- Says it accepts most insurance
LA Neurosciences: Thomas Kurian, MD
Santa Clarita (Valencia) · 23861 McBean Pkwy, Suite E-12, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Good for Santa Clarita Valley families who want quick, local care
A Santa Clarita neurology practice whose pediatric page is written for parents: it lists reasons a child might need a visit (recurring headaches, possible seizures or staring spells, missed milestones, lost skills, tics, concussion symptoms lasting weeks) and describes the first visit as a long conversation with parents plus a play-based exam. Dr. Kurian is board-certified in adult and pediatric neurology and sees newborns through 18. Same-day visits are sometimes available for urgent concerns, follow-ups can be by telemedicine anywhere in California, and the office verifies benefits first.
- Newborn through 18
- Board-certified adult and pediatric neurology
- Same-day visits sometimes available
- Telemedicine follow-ups
- Verifies benefits before the visit
laneurosciences.com (opens their site)661-857-7100On Summerground
St Mary Neurology Clinic Beverly Hills: Raafat Iskander, MD
9025 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 205, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Good for A Westside private practice for headaches or seizures
Dr. Iskander is a board-certified neurologist with special qualifications in child neurology who sees both adults and children. He trained in pediatrics in New York, then completed an adult neurology fellowship at Stony Brook and a pediatric neurology fellowship at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. His page lists headaches, epilepsy, ADHD, developmental disorders, neuropathies and tremors among the conditions he treats.
- Board-certified, child neurology (ABPN)
- Children and adults
- Headaches, epilepsy, ADHD, delays
Nurture Neuro: Brian G. Wong, MD
Online, anywhere in California
Good for Telehealth evaluations for autism, ADHD and development
A telehealth-only pediatric neurology practice for families in California, run by Brian G. Wong, MD, who did his pediatric neurology residency at CHLA and USC. It focuses on neurodevelopment: evaluations for autism, ADHD and early developmental and academic concerns, plus guidance on diet, supplements and medication. The site also treats sleep problems, migraine, seizures and tics, and is upfront about what it doesn’t handle, including PANDAS, cerebral palsy and spasticity, and severe depression. It describes itself as working outside insurance-based care, so ask about fees when you book.
- Telehealth only, California
- Autism and ADHD evaluations
- CHLA/USC-trained
- Not for cerebral palsy or PANDAS
- Ask about fees; outside insurance
When a child needs a neurologist, and when a developmental pediatrician is the better first call
Both are pediatric subspecialists, and their work overlaps around autism, ADHD and developmental delay. The difference is what they’re trained to look for. A child neurologist finishes medical school, then at least a year of general pediatrics and three years of child neurology residency, which includes adult neurology (AAP). A developmental-behavioral pediatrician finishes a full three-year pediatrics residency and then subspecialty training in development and behavior (AAP).
Ask your pediatrician for a neurology referral when the question is about the nervous system itself:
- Possible seizures: convulsions, staring spells, sudden falls, or episodes of unresponsiveness, lip smacking or rapid blinking
- Headaches that keep coming back, are severe, or interfere with school or sleep
- Tics, tremors or other unusual repetitive movements
- Regression: losing speech, motor or social skills your child had
- Weakness, clumsiness, trouble walking, or a change in how your child walks
- Concussion symptoms that last more than a few weeks
- A known diagnosis that needs a neurologist’s care, such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, a neuromuscular or neurogenetic condition
Start with a developmental pediatrician (or a psychologist for testing) when the worry is ADHD, a learning problem, autism without seizures or regression, or a speech or motor delay without other neurological signs. Several neurology programs on this list evaluate autism and ADHD too, including Cedars-Sinai, UCLA’s Neurodevelopmental Disorders Program and Nurture Neuro, so a child with both kinds of concerns can often be seen in one place. See our guides to developmental pediatricians in Los Angeles, autism testing for kids and ADHD testing for kids.
What the first visit is like, and what an EEG or MRI involves
Most of a first visit is talking and watching. The AAP notes that child neurologists often make a diagnosis from the story of your child’s symptoms, their medical history and a physical exam. Expect questions about the pregnancy and birth, milestones, family history, school and sleep, then a hands-on exam that, for a young child, looks a lot like play: the doctor watches how your child walks, runs, reaches and talks. AMS Neurology in Pasadena books 45 minutes to an hour for a new patient. Bring videos of any episodes, a list of medications, and reports from school, therapists or earlier testing.
An EEG (electroencephalogram) records brain waves through small discs pasted to the scalp. It’s painless, and it’s the main test for seizures. CHLA’s EEG preparation guide tells families to:
- Plan about 2 hours for a routine EEG and 4 to 6 hours for a video EEG; Miller Children’s says the recording itself lasts 20 to 40 minutes.
- Wash your child’s hair the night before with no conditioner, hairspray or braids; the scalp must be clean and oil-free.
- Keep your child short on sleep so they can sleep during the test: under 2, wake them 2 hours early; over 2, keep them up 2 hours past bedtime and wake them 2 hours early. No napping in the car, no caffeine, and a meal 1 to 2 hours before.
- Tell the lab ahead of time if your child has sensory issues, anxiety or trouble with haircuts, so staff can prepare.
- Give medications as usual unless the doctor says otherwise. Results come back in 1 to 2 business days.
When a routine EEG doesn’t catch anything, a neurologist may order an overnight or multi-day video EEG in an epilepsy monitoring unit; Cedars-Sinai and CHLA both have one.
An MRI makes detailed pictures of the brain and spine without radiation. The scanner is loud and your child must hold still, often for 30 minutes or more, so infants and young children are often scheduled with sedation or anesthesia. CHLA’s MRI page describes an anesthesia team for sedated scans, Child Life specialists who help kids stay calm enough to skip sedation, video goggles to watch during the scan, and contrast given by injection for some studies. Ask when you schedule whether sedation is planned, whether your child needs to fast, and whether you can stay in the room.
Referrals, waits and getting it paid for in LA: insurance, Medi-Cal, CCS and regional centers
Most families reach a pediatric neurologist through their pediatrician. HMO plans, including Kaiser and most Medi-Cal plans, require that referral; PPO plans usually let you book directly, though the practices here still want records sent ahead. Hospital divisions have referral lines (CHLA’s is 888-631-2452), and Harbor-UCLA specialty care starts with a request from your primary care provider.
- Waits. Under California’s timely access rules, a state-regulated health plan must offer a non-urgent appointment with a specialist within 15 business days of your request, and an urgent appointment within 48 hours (96 hours if prior authorization is needed). If the plan’s network can’t do that, it must help you get seen, in or out of network (DMHC). If you’re stuck, call the DMHC Help Center at 888-466-2219.
- Private insurance. Ask whether the doctor is in network, whether the visit and any EEG or MRI need prior authorization, and what an out-of-network visit costs. UCLA’s and Providence’s provider pages list accepted plans; West Coast Neurology and AMS Neurology post theirs on their sites.
- Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal must cover medically necessary care for children under 21, specialist visits and testing included (EPSDT). In LA County most children are in a managed care plan such as L.A. Care or Health Net; your child’s primary care doctor sends the referral through the plan. County hospitals (Harbor-UCLA in Torrance, Olive View-UCLA in Sylmar) see Medi-Cal patients, and so do the children’s hospitals.
- California Children’s Services (CCS). A state program, run in LA County by the Department of Public Health, that coordinates and pays for care for children under 21 with certain serious medical conditions, and some neurological conditions qualify. Families qualify financially with Medi-Cal, an adjusted gross income under $40,000, or expected costs for the condition of 20% or more of income; CCS pays after insurance. Anyone can refer: call LA County CCS at 800-288-4584 or ask your child’s neurologist whether the diagnosis is CCS-eligible (LA County CCS, DHCS).
- Regional centers. Epilepsy and cerebral palsy are two of the qualifying conditions for lifelong regional center services when the disability began before 18 and is substantial (DDS). Under 3, the Early Start program evaluates babies and toddlers with delays or risk conditions for free; call 800-515-2229. A regional center doesn’t replace the neurologist, but it can fund therapies, respite and case management. See our guide to regional centers in Los Angeles.
How to check board certification
Child neurology is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The certificate is called Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology, and it requires five years of accredited residency: three in child neurology, one in general pediatrics, and a fifth in pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine or neuroscience research (ABPN). Some child neurologists add ABPN subspecialty certificates in epilepsy, clinical neurophysiology, neurodevelopmental disabilities or sleep medicine.
- Look the doctor up on the ABPN’s free verifyCERT tool, which shows whether a physician holds an ABPN certificate and its status.
- Check the California medical license on the Medical Board’s license search, which also shows any discipline.
- If the practice says board-eligible, that means the doctor finished an accredited residency but hasn’t yet passed, or taken, the certifying exam. CHLA, for one, says its neurologists are board-certified or board-eligible.
A general (adult) neurologist can also be certified in neurology alone and still see children; several practices on this list are dual adult-and-pediatric. For a child, ask where the doctor did child neurology training and how much of the practice is kids.
Questions parents ask
Do I need a referral to see a pediatric neurologist in Los Angeles?
Usually, yes. HMO plans, Kaiser and Medi-Cal managed care plans require a referral from your child’s primary care doctor, and county hospitals such as Harbor-UCLA start with a request from your primary care provider. With a PPO you can often book directly, but the practices on this list still want your pediatrician’s notes and any test results sent ahead. Either way, start with your pediatrician: they can send records and say how urgent the referral is.
What’s the difference between a pediatric neurologist and a developmental pediatrician?
A pediatric neurologist trains in pediatrics and then three years in child neurology, and treats disorders of the brain, spine, nerves and muscles: seizures, headaches, tics, movement problems, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disease. A developmental-behavioral pediatrician completes a full pediatrics residency and then trains in development and behavior, and evaluates ADHD, autism, learning disorders and delays in speech, motor skills and thinking. Pick the neurologist when there are seizures, regression, weakness or abnormal movements; the developmental pediatrician when the concern is behavior, attention, learning or development alone. See our guide to developmental pediatricians in Los Angeles.
Does my child need to see a neurologist for ADHD or autism?
Not necessarily. ADHD and autism are usually diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician, a psychologist or a child psychiatrist. A neurologist becomes the right call when there are also seizures or staring spells, a loss of skills, an abnormal exam, a known genetic syndrome, or a sleep or movement problem. Some LA neurology programs do see both: Cedars-Sinai lists ADHD and autism among its areas, UCLA has a Neurodevelopmental Disorders Program, and Nurture Neuro does telehealth autism and ADHD evaluations. See our guides to autism testing and ADHD testing in LA.
When is a seizure or a headache an emergency?
Call 911 for a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes, a second seizure soon after the first, trouble breathing or waking afterward, an injury during the seizure, a seizure in water, or a first-ever seizure (CDC). For headaches, the AAP says to seek emergency care for sudden, severe head pain for the first time, especially with double vision, confusion, unusual sleepiness, numbness or projectile vomiting, or a headache with a stiff neck or neck pain, especially with a fever (AAP). Call your pediatrician for daily headaches, headaches that wake your child, that keep getting worse, or that linger more than a week after a head injury.
How long is the wait to see a pediatric neurologist in LA?
It varies by practice and diagnosis, so ask when you call. State-regulated health plans must offer a non-urgent specialist appointment within 15 business days and help you find one elsewhere if their network can’t. Some practices move faster for certain problems: Cedars-Sinai’s epilepsy program says it aims to see a child within a week of a first seizure, and LA Neurosciences in Santa Clarita and West Coast Neurology in the San Gabriel Valley say same-day visits are sometimes available for urgent concerns. If a plan can’t get you seen in time, call the DMHC Help Center at 888-466-2219.
What does a pediatric neurologist treat?
Conditions of a child’s brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. The practices on this list name seizures and epilepsy, headaches and migraine, tics and Tourette syndrome, concussion and brain injury, developmental delay and regression, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy, neurogenetic conditions such as tuberous sclerosis, sleep disorders, stroke, neuroimmune conditions such as pediatric multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors (with neurosurgeons and oncologists). Many also evaluate autism and ADHD when neurological questions come with them.
How we made this list
We searched the web for child neurologists and pediatric neurology divisions across Los Angeles County in October 2026, read each practice’s or hospital’s own pages, and kept the ones whose pages say they see children for neurology, spreading the list across hospital and university divisions and private practices from the Westside to Pasadena, the Valley, the South Bay and Long Beach. Everything said about a place comes from its own site; the rules on referrals, waits, CCS and regional centers come from the official sources below. The order isn’t a ranking; call to confirm ages, insurance and waits.
No one paid to be on it. It’s information to start from, not medical or legal advice: check services, costs and coverage with each provider before you book. Spotted something out of date, or run a place that belongs here? Write to hello@summerground.com.
Sources
- What is a Child Neurologist? (American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org)
- What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician? (AAP, HealthyChildren.org)
- Headaches: When to Call the Pediatrician (AAP, HealthyChildren.org)
- Seizure First Aid (CDC)
- CHLA Electroencephalogram (EEG) Preparation Guide
- CHLA: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- ABPN: Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology
- ABPN verifyCERT: check a neurologist’s board certification
- Medical Board of California: physician license search
- DMHC: Timely Access to Care
- Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (Medicaid.gov)
- California Children’s Services (California Department of Health Care Services)
- California Children’s Services (LA County Department of Public Health)
- CCS eligibility rules and fees (LA County)
- Regional center eligibility (California Department of Developmental Services)
- What is Early Start? (DDS)