Sinan Omer Turnacioglu, MD

Interim Division Chief, Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics

Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician

Sinan Turnacioglu, MD, is a neurodevelopmental pediatrician at Children’s National Hospital and an assistant professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He has been in practice for more than 20 years, beginning his career in general pediatrics before completing fellowship training in neurodevelopmental disabilities at Children’s National. Dr. Turnacioglu cares for children and adolescents across general developmental pediatrics and multiple specialty neurogenetics clinics. He has particular expertise in autism spectrum disorder, Fragile X syndrome, Smith‑Magenis syndrome, Rett syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and other rare genetic and neurodevelopmental conditions, reflecting his leadership roles in the Fragile X Clinic, Rett Syndrome Clinic and Neurofibromatosis Program at Children’s National.

Dr. Turnacioglu’s clinical and academic work focuses on neurogenetics, family‑centered developmental care and improving access to high‑quality diagnostic and therapeutic services for neurodivergent children. He founded the DC Autism Clinic for the Underserved and has contributed to national efforts to expand access to genomic testing and evidence‑based neurodevelopmental care. He also serves as program director for the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Fellowship at Children’s National and is active in medical education, mentorship and national curriculum development.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Turnacioglu has led and contributed to multiple research studies and clinical trials involving autism, Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome and virtual‑reality–based interventions. He has served as a co‑investigator on federally-funded research and holds several U.S. patents related to therapeutic and diagnostic uses of virtual reality for autism spectrum disorder. His work with Floreo, Inc., where he was chief medical officer from 2017–2023, helped advance innovative digital tools to support social communication and safety skills for autistic individuals. He has authored peer‑reviewed publications and book chapters on neurodevelopmental disabilities, metabolic disorders, autism intervention research and conceptual frameworks in pediatric neurology.

Dr. Turnacioglu is board‑certified in child neurology and in neurodevelopmental disabilities and remains active in national professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Neurology, the Child Neurology Society, the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and the Neurofibromatosis Clinical Research Consortium. He grew up in New Jersey and lives in Bethesda, MD, with his family. Outside of work, he enjoys running, reading and tabletop games.

Publications

ORCID

• Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Program
• Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
• Neurogenetics Program
• Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine Center

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.

Outside Interests

• Acadia
• Floreo