What to Expect

Clinic Visit

Before your appointment

• Gather all hard copies or CDs with X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans or other exams related to your child's condition that were done outside of Seattle Children's. You will need to bring these to your child's appointment.
• Learn more about what to do before your appointment.

How long is a clinic visit?

The length of your visit depends on:

• Your child’s healthcare needs
• The number of providers your child needs to see
• Tests your child may need

Most visits last 2 to 3 hours. Please bring books, toys and snacks with you.

What can I expect during a clinic visit?

Your child will see a team of experts who will:

• Ask you and your child questions about their medical history
• Examine your child
• Do needed tests or schedule them for later
• Answer your questions

Who will see my child?

• Ear, nose and throat doctor or specialized nurse practitioner (otolaryngology provider)
• Doctor or nurse practitioner who specializes in lung health (pulmonary)
• Doctor or nurse practitioner who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterology)
• A specialist in pediatric surgery
• Speech and language pathologist who evaluates feeding and swallowing
• Registered dietitian
• Hearing specialist (audiologist), if needed
• Respiratory therapist, if needed

What tests will my child have?

We may do some tests right away or schedule others for another time. Tests your child may have the same day include:

• Clinical feeding and swallowing evaluation (CSE)
• Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS)
• Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy
• Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)
• A hearing test
• An X-ray of your child’s neck or chest
• Breathing tests to check lung function
• Blood work

How do I prepare my child for a feeding/swallowing evaluation?

• Make sure your child comes hungry.
• Give your child any medicines they are taking.
• Come prepared to talk about your child’s daily eating and drinking habits, routines and schedule.
• For details, see our Clinical Feeding and Swallowing Evaluation handout (PDF) (Spanish) (Vietnamese).

What should I bring?

• Clinic notes or reports about operations done outside of Seattle Children’s.
• Your child’s medicines and medical equipment.
• Forms that providers need to sign, like school forms.
• Imaging or study results done outside of Seattle Children’s, like X-rays, swallow studies, sleep studies, growth charts, reports of blood work or other tests.
• A familiar cup, bottle or other special feeding items your child uses at home.
• Familiar food and drinks so we can watch what your child typically eats. If your child has difficulty with certain foods or textures, please bring one of those.
• A 2- to 3-day food diary, if possible.

What happens after the appointment?

• At the end of your visit, we will give you our recommendations for your child’s plan of care.
• If we decide to change the plan based on later discussions at our team meeting, we will call you to talk about them.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Call 206-987-2000 as soon as you know that you need to cancel or reschedule. This will allow us to make the time available for another patient who needs our care. 

Directions, parking and entering

• Find our location.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow time for registration.

Preparing for your clinic visit

For more information on visiting Seattle Children’s clinics, please see Your Child’s Clinic Visit.

Preparing for Surgery

We want your family to have the best possible experience on the day of your child’s surgery and as they recover. We partner with you to care for your child. We hope these materials will help prepare you and your child.

• What to Expect on Your Surgery Day at Seattle Children’s Surgery Center (PDF) (Spanish)
• What to Expect on Your Surgery Day at Seattle Children’s Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center (PDF) (Spanish)
• Surgery Day for Me Coloring Book (PDF)
• Learn about what to expect on your child’s surgery day.

Preparing for a Hospital Stay

• Find out what you need to know about your child's hospital stay.
• Learn about main campus amenities.