Neurosciences Center

What to Expect

Preparing for a Clinic Visit

  • Things to do before your appointment
    • Your doctor’s office will send us records before your visit.  If we need more information before the visit, your child’s care team will contact you. If you have other records that you would like to share, please bring them with you.    
    • Learn more about what to do before your appointment.
  • What happens during a clinic visit?

    After check-in, you and your child will go to an exam room. Members of the neurosciences team will see your child.

    Your child’s doctor may order some tests. Depending on your child’s condition, they may need 1 or more of these: 

    • EEG (electroencephalogram)
    • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
    • CT (computed tomography) scan
    • Blood tests 

    Your child may need follow-up clinic visits and possibly more testing.

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

  • Directions, parking and entering

    Get maps and directions to Seattle Children’s hospital and clinic locations.

    Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow time for registration.

    Questions?

    Call 206-987-2016.

Preparing for an EEG

An EEG (electroencephalogram) records the electrical activity of your child’s brain, sometimes called the brain waves. First, we place small metal disks around your child’s head. This does not hurt.

Preparing for a CT Scan

A CT scan, sometimes called a CAT scan, uses X-rays and computers to take a series of detailed pictures.

To learn what to expect and to help your child prepare, read CT Scan (Spanish) (PDF).

Preparing for an MRI Scan

An MRI scan uses a very strong magnet, radio waves and computers to make detailed pictures. This does not hurt, but the machine is noisy.

The test takes 30 to 60 minutes. If your child cannot stay still that long, we will give them medicine to make them sleep (anesthesia). To help know what to expect, read Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Spanish) (PDF).

  • Getting an MRI at Seattle Children’s (Video. 4:17)
     
    A child life specialist at Seattle Children’s shows what to expect when getting an MRI scan.
  • Getting an MRI with anesthesia at Seattle Children’s (Video. 4:04)
    A Seattle Children's child life specialist shows what to expect when getting an MRI with anesthesia.

Preparing to Visit the First Seizure Clinic

At the clinic, we evaluate your child to learn more about the type of seizure, its cause and whether your child may have epilepsy. The information you provide will help us determine if the seizure was caused by a temporary problem like a high fever or is an epileptic seizure.

Preparing for a Visit About Headaches

For help managing headaches before your visit, see Headache resources for patients and families. Contact your healthcare provider right away if your child is having frequent headaches that wake them at night or cause vomiting when they awaken, weakness in their arms and legs, face drooping, sudden very intense headache or changes in their balance or vision.

If your child has an appointment for headaches, bring a list of medicines, supplements, vitamins and minerals you have used for headache treatment, with names and amounts. Please start keeping a record of your child’s headaches right away.

  • Making a record of your child’s headaches

    You can keep a record of the headaches using the headache log (PDF) or blank calendar pages below. If you use a blank calendar page, include: 

    • Time of day
    • Description of headache (including pain level)
    • What your child was doing before the headache
    • Any medicine taken and how it affected your child 

    Choose the PDF file for the month you need to record: 

Preparing for a Neuropsychology Visit

See what to expect at the Neuropsychology Clinic and how to prepare for your visit.

Preparing for Surgery

Preparing your child and yourselves for surgery may help reduce your family’s stress during this time. 

Preparing for a Hospital Stay 

Paying for Care

Learn about paying for care at Seattle Children’s including insurance coverage, billing and financial assistance.

Telemedicine at Seattle Children’s

Your child’s first appointment in our clinic will be in person and take about 90 minutes. Later visits may be offered via telehealth (virtual). Learn more.