Georgia SEED - How to Prepare

Child Developmental Evaluation

An important part of the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) is the developmental evaluation. You may bring your child to a study clinic or have SEED clinicians and nurses come to your home.

Some children will work better in a clinic setting because there usually are fewer distractions than in the home. However, if you are not able to come to the clinic, our SEED clinicians will visit your child’s home.

If you prefer the visit in your home, please prepare a private and quiet area for your child to work. This area must be free from distractions. The SEED clinician can work with you to find the best place to do the evaluation.

In either the clinic or home setting, the clinician will first introduce herself and answer any questions you might have. Then, she will play with your child to make him or her more comfortable before starting the evaluation. You also may sit with your child during the evaluation to make him or her more comfortable. During the evaluation, the clinician will ask your child some questions and engage him or her in some structured play activities. Your child will be able to take a break if needed. If your child cannot complete the evaluation, it can be continued at another time.

If you choose to visit one of our clinics, you might want to bring a favorite snack for your child in a small container.

Clinic Locations

We conduct the evaluations at the Marcus Autism Center and the DeKalb Atlanta Human Services Center.

Marcus Autism Center
1920 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
Telephone Number: 404-785-9400

DeKalb Atlanta Human Services Center
30 Warren Street, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30317

Brief Medical Examination

After the clinician completes the developmental evaluation, a trained nurse will measure your and your child’s height and head size using a tape measure,and she will weigh your child. She will ask you and your child to remove your shoes so she can obtain accurate height and weight measurements. If your child’s father is able and willing to attend the visit, she also will measure his height and head size.

After the measurements are done, she will ask that you allow her to get a sample of saliva (spit) and of blood from both you and your child. These samples will help SEED learn more about the biology of developmental problems.

You might want to talk with your child before the visit to explain the saliva collection and blood draw procedures. The picture story book is an excellent tool to review with your child before the visit.

The nurse will assist you in collecting the saliva samples using one of two ways. The first way is to collect saliva by spitting directly into a tube. The second way uses a small sponge to soak up saliva from the mouth. The nurse will give you specific instructions for the way you choose. You will need to wait at least 30 minutes after eating, drinking, or chewing gum before she can collect the saliva samples.

To help with the blood draw, you should wear a shirt with short sleeves or sleeves that you can easily pull up over your elbow. Your child should be dressed in the same way. To make the blood draw easier, please make sure you and your child have plenty of water to drink before the visit.

NOTE: Neither you nor your child has to provide a blood sample to be in the study. The decision is up to you.

If you have questions, please contact Georgia SEED via email at gaseed@cdc.gov or by telephone at 404-498-0058.