ALS clinic

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a motor neuron disease. This progressive, usually fatal, neuromuscular disorder is caused by the gradual degeneration of the motor nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement.

About our clinic

Our clinic has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in Canada.

We're affiliated with the University of Toronto Neurosciences Program and linked to the Assistive Technology Clinic (ATC) at Sunnybrook; this allows for easy access to assistive devices to improve a person's independence and quality of life.

Our clinic requires a physician referral, but we do accept referrals from across Canada and the world. Download a referral form.

We aim for seamless continuity of care through liaisons with many community services, such as the ALS Society, Community Care Access Centres, palliative care teams and hospices.

Included in our group of experts are occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists who are also members of the assistive technology clinic team. These specialists are available to address patient needs for assistive devices, including wheelchairs, computers and speech generating devices.

Quick facts

• The lifetime risk of developing ALS is approximately 1 in 1000
• Two to three Canadians die of ALS each day
• There is currently no known cause or proven cure for ALS