Middle Adolescence Visit - Middle Adolescence Features - Guiding Your Child Through The Adolescent Years

Name:____________________

Date Of Visit:____________________

Weight:____________________

Height:____________________

Ask for an update on your health
Do a physical exam, including checking for scoliosis and signs of puberty
Check your blood pressure and possibly your hearing and/or vision
Show you how to do a testicular self-exam or breast self-exam
If you are sexually active, you may be checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Females may need to have a pelvic exam.
Ask about your family’s history of heart disease and test cholesterol levels if indicated
Ask about possible exposure to tuberculosis (TB) and test you if indicated
Discuss your risk of anemia (iron-poor blood) and test for it if indicated
Make sure your immunizations are up to date, including tetanus (Td); hepatitis B; chicken pox; and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR). Your doctor may also recommend a meningococcal vaccine.
Give you and your parent(s) an opportunity to ask questions

Questions about dating and sex
Dealing with anger, stress, sadness or depression
How you feel about your body
Concerns about tobacco, alcohol or drugs
Any other concerns you have

Your growth
Your diet (nutrition)
Questions about development, puberty or sex
Your sleeping habits
Questions about behavior, discipline, tobacco, alcohol or drug use
How you are doing in school
Your interests, talents and after-school activities

Limit television, video watching and video games to one to two hours per day.
Use sunscreen and do not visit tanning salons.
Always use a seat belt, bike helmet and other protective sports gear.
Do not use tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
Do not use guns or other weapons.
Learn how to protect yourself from physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Learn how to deal with anger and resolve conflicts.
Trust your own feelings, but also listen to the advice of good friends and respected adults.
Make healthy choices for meals and snacks, including plenty of fruits and vegetables; breads, cereals and other whole-grain products; low-fat, calcium-rich dairy products; and lean, iron-rich meats.
Ask questions of trusted adults and learn about sex, birth control and STDs.
If you are having sex, talk with your doctor about necessary exams and ways to protect yourself against pregnancy and disease.
Respect your parents’ limits and rules, including the consequences for unacceptable behavior.
Respect the rights and needs of others.
Discuss with a trusted adult any feelings of frustration with school or thoughts of dropping out.
Make plans for after high school, such as going to school, getting a job or taking time off. Think about what interests you most and what skills you would like to improve.

Based on health supervision guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and from Bright Futures, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the direction of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.