What to expect during your visit to the developmental clinic
At Children’s Minnesota, we realize that we are treating a child — not just a diagnosis. And we know that for kids, there’s no such thing as a routine visit. That’s why we walk you through the developmental pediatrics process from the very first phone call.
Whether you are referred to us by your child’s primary care physician or heard about us on your own, our intake coordinator will help to determine if developmental pediatrics is a good fit for your child.
Before your visit
- Prepare your child: Talk about the visit, draw pictures (stick figures work just fine!) or act out the upcoming visit with a stuffed animal as the patient. These small steps can make the first visit less stressful.
- Paperwork and arrival: Before the first visit, we’ll provide paperwork so our team can learn about your child’s health history. Arrive about 15 minutes early with your insurance card and co-pay so we can complete registration quickly and focus on what matters most — caring for your child.
- Insurance: We accept many health insurance plans. Call your insurance company before your first visit to confirm coverage. See our resources about billing and insurance before your visit.
During your visit
- Comforting kids: Coming to the hospital can be scary. Bring your favorite stuffed animals or snacks to help your child feel comfortable. We also use simple drawings to show what’s happening next — like measuring height and weight — so your kid knows what to expect. If you are concerned about how your child will tolerate a clinic visit, see how you can help your child cope with medical procedures.
- Medical evaluation: During your child’s first visit we provide a medical evaluation related to developmental concerns. This includes a comprehensive physical examination, observation of behavior and laboratory or x-ray services if needed.
- Kid-friendly environment: We make small adjustments that make a big difference for children with developmental concerns, such as minimizing wall art for kids sensitive to busy settings.
- Let’s talk: Once we have completed the exam, we’ll sit down to discuss your child’s developmental status and treatment recommendations. We’ll answer all of your questions and coordinate care. Have more questions when you get home? Not a problem. Just call us and we’ll talk.
Continuing your care journey
As your child’s care journey progresses, we’ll partner with you to make the next steps as smooth and stress-free as possible. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please let us know. We always try to make a terrific impression, whether it’s our first meeting with your family or our twenty-first.
