The Aerodigestive Program (ADP) at Children's of Alabama serves the complex medical needs of children with airway, respiratory, gastrointestinal and feeding concerns. The program's main purpose is to improve the lives of children with complex medical issues through improved care coordination. We combine the expertise of pediatric subspecialists (ENT, Pulmonary, GI and Feeding, Pediatric Surgery, and other subspecialties) to develop coordinated care plans with multidisciplinary follow-up. We strive to improve the care experience and provide optimized health outcomes.
Our program uniquely brings together pediatric subspecialty physicians and health professionals to comprehensively evaluate and manage complex airway, feeding or nutritional difficulties.
The coordinated care provided by the ADP will streamline the medical process, coordinating procedures and clinical evaluation with a collaboratively developed care plan. The ADP brings together a comprehensive medical team to organize your child's individualized care plan.
We provide the only Aerodigestive program in Alabama and one of very few that are available nationally. In the near future, we will also be providing the only Intensive Feeding Program in the State of Alabama. We provide subspecialty therapists who offer a spectrum of services that are necessary in the care of children with complex airway and nutritional symptoms. After being referred to the Aerodigestive Clinic, your child will be seen by a multidisciplinary team consisting of pulmonary specialists and/or gastrointestinal specialists to create a personalized treatment plan to meet the comprehensive needs of the child.
Making a referral to the Aerodigestive Program.
To make a referral to the ADC, email Ashley Chapman at ashley.chapman@childrensal.org or call her at 205-638-3447. Your child's medical history will be discussed at our joint Aerodigestive conference meeting and a care plan developed. Depending on your child's needs, we will schedule appointments with our otolaryngologists, pulmonologists and gastroenterologists. Other appointments with specialists will be coordinated if needed.
Physician Referral Information
See "How to Schedule Appointments" on the back of the form for further records requested by the specialty. Please fax these documents at the same time you fax this form to keep records and forms together, and eliminate duplication of tests performed. If insurance requires a referral (Medicaid, etc.), please fax referral with this form.
Our Aerodigestive clinic is held the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Mondays of the month in Clinic 6.
Directions to 7th Avenue Parking Deck.
Some of the medical symptoms that benefit from Aerodigestive care coordination
Triple Endoscopy
The physicians may determine that your child needs further, more extensive, assessment of their symptoms. The team will then refer your child for a triple endoscopy (Direct Laryngoscopy Bronchoscopy, Flexible Bronchoscopy and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy) which is performed under general anesthesia, by an ENT surgeon, Pulmonologist, and Gastroenterologist in an operating room setting. After the procedure, the team will discuss the findings and will determine what course of action needs to be taken.
Ashley Chapman (Clinic Coordinator) 205-638-3447 will be your Aerodigestive Program contact support. She will work with you to coordinate the treatment plan and assist you throughout your child's treatment.
