Parents of adolescents or teenagers hear a common refrain: they don’t want to visit the pediatrician, where exam rooms with whimsical art, colorful stickers, and even elevated exam tables are often tailored for babies and toddlers. Or maybe there’s some parental fatigue of your own, a desire for relief from the frequent doctor’s visits necessary during your child’s early developmental stages, including the rounds of childhood vaccines. However, annual checkups for teens and tweens are just as important as they were during early childhood. It might be awkward for your child, but yearly wellness visits are needed beyond those required to play school sports or attend summer camp.
While two out of three adolescents still visit a doctor once a year, only one in 15 visits are for preventive care.
Some key reasons for these annual visits include:
- Developmental monitoring, including growth, developmental milestones, and identifying any issues related to puberty.
- Preventive care, including vaccines and screening for conditions like anemia, high cholesterol, and sexually transmitted infections.
- Mental health screening, including identifying and addressing concerns such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
- Lifestyle advice, including healthy eating, exercise, sleep, and managing stress.
- Early detection of health issues when they are easier to treat.
- Safety awareness, about topics such as sports, automobile, and sexual health.
Sounds simple, right? But many parents of tweens or teens know that talking about anything with them, let alone sensitive topics like puberty, substance use, and mental health, can be a minefield.
While these adults-in-waiting may think they have outgrown their pediatrician, maintaining this relationship with the doctor who has likely known your child since birth is vital.
Pediatricians provide age-appropriate care and address issues unique to teens, including the physical and emotional changes that come with puberty.
However, it is also important for you to respect the changes your child is going through, so if they are uncomfortable talking with their pediatrician, help them find a doctor they are comfortable with.
Doctors assessing adolescents may ask about social issues, school, the environment at home and school, and sleep issues, as well as safety concerns such as texting, driving, or wearing seatbelts.
While parents hope their child will talk candidly about these critical issues, the truth is teenagers often seek advice from people whom they are comfortable with – primarily their peers – making it especially important that they have an authoritative source like their doctor for accurate information.
Warning!
Don’t be surprised if you are asked to step out of the exam room so your child can have a more honest discussion about topics they don’t feel comfortable talking to you about. Doing so gives your child some independence.
After living with your teen, you probably have some questions of your own. Doctors can also provide help for parents who may be struggling with understanding the mood swings and changing bodies that come with puberty or have questions about school performance, risky behavior, and other issues.
Teens might not ask you about sex, their bodies, or relationships, but they may talk with a trusted doctor.