Often People are referred to Civitan-Sparks Clinics for an evaluation based on medical observations or parental concerns. Common and frequent concerns in requesting our services include questions about:

• Communication delays
• Developmental delays
• Learning challenges
• Specific school difficulties
• Behavioral concerns such as attention deficits or hyperactivity
• Autism
• Physical concerns such as delayed motor skills, difficulty taking care of personal needs (feeding, bathing, dressing, etc.)
• Possible hearing loss
• Health/medical issues like muscle concerns, seizures, cerebral palsy
• Dental care needs
• Primary pediatric care

What should I expect when visiting the clinics?

Many times the evaluations will last half a day, all day and often require more than one visit. There will be a break for lunch and there are several restaurants within walking distance. You may want to bring juice and snacks for your children and yourself. To help your child prepare for their visit to the clinics, download the I Am Going to Sparks booklet. Also available at the Clinics is a Family Resource Room, conveniently located behind the check-in desk in the waiting room. The Family Resource Room offers brochures and handouts for parents and caregivers covering a broad range of information.

Who is eligible for services at Civitan-Sparks Clinics?

Our services are available to people living in Alabama as well as other states, territories and countries.

Where do I park and are the clinics accessible?

The Civitan-Sparks Clinics are located on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Community Health Services Building.

Community Health Services Building
930 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205

Free parking for families is located to the right of the building in a gated lot. Clinic facilities are located on the first floor of the building.

The clinics are wheel chair accessible but if you have specific accessibility concerns or mobility issues please let us know when you make your appointment.

Click here for maps to the Civitan-Sparks Clinics.

Who do we see?

We see children of all ages with any concern about:

• Development
• Behavior
• Social Skills
• Learning

Who will your child see?

• Your child will be seen by a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, who is a special kind of pediatrician that focuses on children who are having trouble with learning skills or with difficult behaviors.
• You may also see Resident Physicians, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Nutritionist, or other specialty consults as needed.

Where is the clinic?

• We are located at the Community Health Services Building. The address is 930 20th Street, S., Birmingham, AL 35294. Parking is located next to our building in the gated lot.

What will happen at the visit?

• The developmental-behavioral pediatrician will talk with you and your child together about your concerns and your child’s developmental, behavioral, and medical history.
• Your child will get to play with toys.
• If your child is old enough, he or she might speak to the doctor alone with your permission.
• You may be asked to fill out surveys that give the doctor more information about your child’s behavior or skills.
• The developmental-behavioral pediatrician will do a physical examination. He or she may also do other developmental testing or watch how your child plays.
• If additional evaluations or lab tests are needed to help your child, the developmental-behavioral pediatrician will help decide this information.

What will not happen at the visit?

• Your child will not undergo neuropsychological testing or detailed school testing at the first visit.
• Your child will not get shots! (Your child will be happy to know!)

How long will the visit last?

• Your visit will be scheduled for about an hour and a half.
• If your child is coming back for developmental testing, your visit will usually last at least two hours, but may be longer.
• If you are coming back for a follow-up, your visit may last from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on why you are following up.

What will happen after the visit?

• After your visit(s), you will be given a summary of your child’s visit(s) that has brief recommendations and resources.
• You will get a letter in the mail from your doctor with all the information that was discussed during your visit, and all the recommendations and resources. Your child’s primary care provider will also get this letter.
• If other evaluations are deemed necessary during the first visit, our office will contact you to schedule any additional appointment(s).

Who should come to the visit?

• Your child
• All caregivers who are highly involved with your child’s care (usually parents).
• Child’s legal guardian (if different from caregivers).
• We welcome any case managers or other important people who work with your child or your family and who are able to come.
• We do try to request only two visitors in the room with the patient at a time due to space.

NOTE: If you as the parent or legal guardian cannot be present at the visit, we will need a letter from you stating that the person with your child has your permission for us to see your child.

Who should NOT come to the visit?

• While we love kids, we ask that your child’s brothers and sisters stay home or at school if possible.

Tips for making your visit go as smoothly as possible:

• Please give your child their regular medications on the day of the visit.
• Make sure your child is healthy and eats a good meal before your visit. If your child gets sick before your visit, let us know as soon as possible. We may have to reschedule your appointment.
• Bring glasses, hearing aids, communication devices, walkers/wheelchairs, etc.
• Bring any special toys your child likes to play with.
• Bring snacks if you’d like (but preferably not messy or crumbly snacks).