The Seacoast Child Development Clinic Experience

Before your Clinic Visit
We believe that best practices for evaluation mean that a team of people should observe the child in a variety of settings. Children tend to do better at home where they are comfortable and we hope to visit them there whenever possible.
After the paperwork is completed and a clinic date is set, families are contacted for a home visit. The home visit takes about 1.5-2 hours and is part chat ( at the kitchen table?) and part play with the child. If you live more than 1 hour away, you will have a home phone interview rather than a personal visit that will last about 45 minutes.

When possible, a school / childcare visit is made if it is within one hour of UNH. If not, a phone interview is arranged so we can gather the perspectives of teaching staff. We encourage the family to invite school staff when possible to give information to the clinic team and to make it easier to implement recommendations in school.

Clinic Day Events
On clinic day, some children will have their hearing tested first. Then the team members take turns testing and playing with the child. Family members are either in the room or watching from behind a mirror. Sometimes family members work with clinic staff to answer more questions. There are usually play breaks for young children, followed by a brief physical with our developmental pediatrician. This process takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Following a brief break, the clinic staff will conference with the child’s family and any Early Supports and Services or school staff who are attending clinic.
During the conference, the team will generate recommendations which will be written up and handed to the family at the end of the appointment.

Following Clinic
Families should receive a draft report within 2 months of clinic your visit. The Family Coordinator and other staff are available for questions and support by phone and email. Please feel free to email us with updates and photos!

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