The Resilient Pediatric Brain

A toddler wobbles strangely after a seemingly minor fall in the tub. A five-year-old, once delighted by her crayons, loses the ability to name her favorite colors. A teenager becomes convinced that his parents are imposters, the world around him reduced to an elaborate stage. An adolescent with migraines sees reality periodically shrink down—people, rooms, entire spaces doll-sized and distant. Through these and other fascinating cases, The Resilient Pediatric Brain explores how children—and the families and clinicians who care for them—respond when the developing brain is disrupted by disease or injury.Drawing from his training in pediatric neurology, Andrew Silverman tells the stories of children facing illnesses—ranging from rare immune syndromes to epilepsy and developmental disorders—and contextualizes them within contemporary medical practice and emerging research. He blends vivid human detail with clear explanations of neuroscience, inviting readers to share in the diagnostic puzzles and moments of discovery that shape pediatric neurological care. Combining narrative medicine with clinical insight, Silverman considers the ethical and emotional challenges of caring for children with serious conditions while reflecting on broader themes of uncertainty, resilience, adaptation, and healing. Engaging, informative, and empathetic, this book offers a personal, in-depth view of pediatric brain disease for families, students, practitioners, and other curious readers alike.