Frequently Asked Questions | Clinics and Programs | UC Davis MIND Institute

To make an appointment for a new patient, please follow these steps:

Get a Referral: Ask your child's primary care physician to submit a referral to the MIND Institute through the UC Davis Physician’s Referral Center at 800-482-3284.

Gather Records: You will be asked to provide relevant medical records, any previous diagnostic or psychological evaluations, and school records, including any individualized educational program (IEP) or 504 accommodation plan. We will also ask you to complete a questionnaire about your child's developmental, medical, and educational history before the first visit.

Referral Review: A member of our clinic staff will review the referral to ensure your child is scheduled with the most appropriate provider.

Insurance Authorization: We will work with your primary care provider and insurance carrier to obtain the necessary insurance authorization.

Scheduling Your Appointment: Once the above steps are complete, we will contact you to schedule the appointment. The initial appointment may be in person or via telehealth and will focus on clarifying the reason for the evaluation and gathering any additional information needed for insurance authorization.

Our developmental pediatricians and psychologists evaluate children and adolescents (up to age 17) for conditions like autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and other challenges that can affect communication, socialization, learning, and daily functioning.

The evaluation process is designed to be thorough and collaborative:

Initial Intake: We'll begin with a detailed interview with you, the caregiver. We'll talk about your child's strengths, your concerns, and the goals for the evaluation. This first visit can be done virtually or in person. After this, you'll complete some questionnaires and forms to help us learn more about your child.

Insurance Authorization (if needed): If an evaluation is necessary for medical care, we'll work with your insurance provider to get authorization before we move forward.

Formal Evaluation: A second visit will be scheduled, usually in person. This visit can last from one to four hours, depending on your child's needs. We use standardized assessment tools and clinical observations to get a complete picture of your child's strengths and needs. The clinician may also observe your child's social and language skills through structured, play-based sessions or other social interactions.

Results and Next Steps: After the evaluation, we'll meet with you to discuss our findings, any diagnoses, and a personalized support plan. A summary of the evaluation will be available in your child's electronic medical records, which you can access through the MyUCDavisHealth app. If necessary, we can schedule a follow-up visit to check on your child's progress, answer any questions, and adjust the treatment plan.

Our goal is to provide families with clear answers, guidance, and support to help children reach their full potential.

While the UC Davis MIND Institute offers a wide range of specialty services, the following concerns are best addressed by other professionals: 

Motor skills and sensory issues: Concerns related to fine/gross motor skills and sensory processing should be referred to occupational therapy or physical therapy. 

Speech and language concerns: Evaluations and treatment for speech and language delays should be referred to a speech and language therapist. 

Educational evaluations and learning concerns: For challenges primarily related to reading, math, writing, and school performance, families should seek support through their local school district (for school-aged children) or a psychologist that specializes in evaluation of learning disorders.

Emotional and psychiatric needs in youth without neurodevelopmental concerns: Primary concerns related to emotional regulation, mood, or psychiatric conditions should be addressed by a child psychiatrist or therapist.

Neuropsychological evaluations for complex medical conditions: Evaluations for conditions such as tumor resection, traumatic brain injury, seizures, childhood cancer, progressive neurodegenerative disorders, or other complex medical conditions are not within the MIND Institute’s specialty services and may be referred to child neurology or a neuropsychologist. 

ADHD:  For concerns about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children without other neurodevelopmental conditions, assessment and treatment should be managed by a child psychiatrist or primary care provider.

ABA therapy:  For Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, families should contact their health insurance provider or local regional center to find an ABA provider in their area.

For additional guidance, families are encouraged to consult their primary care provider for referrals and next steps.

To make your visit as smooth as possible, here are a few things you can do to prepare:

Arrange childcare for your other children. Our appointments can sometimes take a half day, and we don't have childcare services available.

Bring comfort items. Pack one or two of your child’s favorite toys or a blanket to help them feel at ease.

Don't forget snacks and drinks. This is especially important if your child has specific dietary needs.

Talk with your child about what to expect. You can explain that they'll be spending time with our specialists talking and playing some games and activities. This can help them feel more comfortable and prepared for the day.

We understand that a hospital visit can be a significant event for both you and your child. Talking with your child about what to expect ahead of time can help ease any fears they might have. If you feel your child may need extra support for their visit, our Child Life specialist is here to help. You can learn more about their services by visiting the Child Life website.

We are currently unable to offer second opinions or re-evaluations. Our long wait list is dedicated to children who are waiting for their first visit.

We offer both in-person and virtual visits, with the format depending on the reason for the visit as well as your child’s age and evaluation needs.

Often, initial visits are conducted virtually. This allows us to speak with you, the parent, to learn more about your child and understand how we can best support you.

In-person visits are required for assessment visits where your child will be participating in hands-on cognitive evaluations.

Parking is available for patients in Parking Lot 25, which is next to our building. Please be sure to park only in the spaces marked “Patient Parking”.

We are committed to making sure every family can communicate effectively during their visit. If you need an interpreter, please let us know a few days before your appointment, and we will arrange for one.

You can learn more about participating in research on the research page.

Some of our providers see adults for specific services or conditions. For example, our Genomic Medicine and Fragile X clinics serves patients of all ages, including adults. Additionally, our Transition to Adult Clinic supports young people ages 16–26 in identifying resources and supports needed as they transition to adult services and care providers and the ACCESS Program focuses on enhancing life coping skills, planning abilities, and social skills to assist participants access various opportunities in social, work/educational, and community settings. However, please note: We do not see patients over the age of 18 for developmental monitoring, psychological evaluations, or in our therapy programs.