When it comes to our care, kids set the pace
Children’s Minnesota is committed to providing a supportive, patient-centered setting for children with Down syndrome and their families. We’re here for you whether you need help with a complex medical issue or simply have a question or two.
Help where and when you need it
There are several ways your child might be referred to Down syndrome services at Children’s Minnesota:
- Pediatrician referral. Often, your child’s primary care doctor will suggest a specialist consult to ensure you’re getting expert guidance on behavior, development and genetics. We work with your family practitioner to treat and manage medical conditions related to Down syndrome.
- Self-referral. Whether you’re looking for general information or dealing with a particular issue, we can help. We welcome patients with and without referrals.
Preparing for a clinic visit
Knowing what to expect helps make doctor visits less stressful for your child. Depending on age, before the visit, talk about it with your child. Show your child a photo of the doctor from our directory.
Before your first visit, you will be asked to complete several forms to help us assess your child’s health and development. It is possible that your child’s teacher will be asked to complete forms, depending on your child’s age.
We suggest you also bring:
- A birth record or discharge summary for infants
- Any IEP forms for school age children
To help us complete initial paperwork and concentrate on your child’s care, it’s best to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. That way, we can zip through the registration and insurance process (remember to bring your insurance card and co-pay) and concentrate on what’s most important to us: talking to you and taking care of your child.
On your first visit, you can expect us to talk about how your child is doing, complete a physical exam and share medical and developmental recommendations. We’ll also share community resources. The first visit usually lasts about one hour.
Flexible care for growing kids
When it comes to caring, we follow your family’s lead. If your child is very young, we might spend most of your visit answering your questions. With older children, we’ll focus on learning, behavior and any other issues that pop up.
Many of our patients return for regular follow-ups. The conversation may change as your child grows, but one thing stays the same: our commitment to compassionate, personalized care for the whole child.
