Some Steps for Medical Transition
Adapted from an article written by Mary Anne Dunkin, originally published in Kids Get Arthritis Too
When it comes to having your child take ownership of her medical care, it can be hard to know what she should be doing – and when. Although you should weigh your child’s maturity and abilities when making those decisions, there are some rules of thumb. Here’s a checklist to help you out.
Younger Kids –(Preschool to elementary school)
Encourage your child to let you know how she is feeling.
As appropriate, allow your child to be involved in treatment decisions.
Teach your child the names of his medications, their dosages and when to take them.
Have your child come to you when it’s time to take medications. For now, you should maintain control if the medicines and supervise the child when taking them.
Younger Adolescents – (Preteen to mid-teens)
Continue to encourage your child to let you know how she is feeling.
Begin to give your child more control over medication-taking. Have her take medications while you supervise, at first. Later, you may put the child in charge of taking her own medicine, but check in regularly to make sure she is taking it. Encourage her to come to you with any questions.
Allow your child to speak privately with the doctor if she wishes. Ask her if she would like for you to leave the room during the examination.
Older Adolescents – (Mid-teen through college)
Have your child take responsibility for taking her medications.
Have your child make calls to the doctor and schedule appointments, at first with your help.
Work with your child to decide the qualities she would like in an adult rheumatologist. Help her contact your insurance company for a list of covered rheumatologists.
Work with your child’s pediatric rheumatologist to transition to an adult rheumatologist.
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